Week 6

Context

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was described in 1974 by Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett, as a way to communicate about the level of consciousness of patients with an acute brain injury. The findings using the scale guide initial decision making and monitor trends in responsiveness that are important in signalling the need for new actions.

The goal of the new structured approach to assessment of the Glasgow Coma Scale is to improve the consistency and reliability of its use through education.
This has been achieved by more clearly defining the steps taken in assessing each component of the scale.

Content

The Glasgow Coma Scale is based on a 15 point scale for estimating and categorizing the outcomes of brain injury on the basis of overall social capability or dependence on others. The test measures the motor response, verbal response and eye opening response. The lowest score for each category is 1, therefore the lowest score is 3 (no response to pain + no verbalisation + no eye opening). A GCS of 8 or less indicates severe injury, one of 9-12 moderate injury, and a GCS score of 13-15 is obtained when the injury is minor.

This video, produced by Professor Teasdale and his team, takes you through the new structured approach to using the Glasgow Coma scale. There is also a guide you can download.

References and Further Reading

Teasdale, G. and Jennett, B. (1974) Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet 1974; 2 pp 81-4

Teasdale, G. (2014) The Glasgow structured approach to assessment of the Glasgow Coma Scale. [WWW] http://www.glasgowcomascale.org