A practical review of the Glasgow Coma Scale and Score.
Since the Glasgow Coma Scale was introduced in 1974,(1) it has become the most common method of describing a patient's level of consciousness. However, despite its almost universal use, there remain a number of misunderstandings, particularly regarding the appropriate situations in which to use the Glasgow Coma Score rather than the Scale, and also in the correct way to elicit and record the motor responses. This article, aimed at non-neurosurgeons, addresses these problems, and provides a reference for those wishing to learn or teach the Glasgow Coma Scale and Score.
Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK. philbar@doctors.org.uk
Philip
P
Barlow
D003243:Consciousness; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance