Trauma Outcome Scores with Mark Faulkner

In this conversation, we will examine the various types of trauma scores that feature both out-of-hospital and in-hospital to measure trauma – those of anatomical, physiological and combined trauma scores. We will look at why these are important, the three broad types of trauma scores, the origins, reliability and sensitivity of these. We will also examine the pros and cons of the GCS together with the history behind the GCS. We will examine the trauma score, revised trauma score, APACHE and CRAMS scales, Abbreviated Injury Score, Injury severity score, New Injury Severity Score (NISS), TRISS (Trauma and Injury Severity Score), and finally the ASCOT (A Severity characterisation of trauma). We will also examine the limitations to these scores and also some of the more long-term reasons for use. 

Mark Faulkner is a Consultant Paramedic and associate medical director with the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Mark is also the clinical advisor for Major Trauma within the LAS and as such sits on the Pan London Trauma Steering Group, as well as number of national trauma groups.  Mark has been involved in major trauma for over 12 years, since the inception of the London Trauma System and has developed and refined the London Trauma Triage Tool. In the conversation, we examine:

1.     Why we look at and create these scores.

2.     The three broad types 

3.     The GCS – origins, sensitivity/specificity & the limitations  

4.     Trauma Score & revised trauma score 

5.     APACHE & CRAMS scales 

6.     AIS 

7.     ISS

8.     NISS & TRISS score 

9.     ASCOT 

10.  Final thoughts 

My thanks to Mark for an insightful and engaging conversation.