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Common Data Element:  Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - total score

Listed below are the details for the data element.

1.16
Element Type
Common Data Element
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - total score
GCSTotalScore
Short Description
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Total Score. The GCS is a standardized instrument for assessing the level of consciousness.
Definition
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Total Score. The GCS is a standardized instrument for assessing the level of consciousness. It evaluates three aspects of responsiveness: eye opening, motor response, verbal response. The total score is the sum of the scores for the three response types. (3-15)
 

Biomedical Terminologies and Standards

Notes
Creation Date
Historical Notes
GCS Total score
References
Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet. Jul 1974;2(7872): 81-4. Marmarou A, Lu J, Butcher I, et al. Prognostic value of the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupil reactivity in traumatic brain injury assessed pre-hospital and on enrolment: an IMPACT analysis. J Neurotrauma. Feb 2007;24(2): 270-80. Stocchetti N, Pagan F, Calappi E, et al. Inaccurate early assessment of neurological severity in head injury. J Neurotrauma. Sep 2004: 21(9): 1131-40. Balestreri M, Czosnyka M, Chatfield DA, et al. Predictive value of Glasgow Coma Scale after brain trauma: change in trend over the past ten years. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Jan 2004;75(1): 161-2.

Data Type
Alphanumeric
Input Restrictions
Single Pre-Defined Value Selected
Pre-Defined Values
External Schema Permissible Value Mapping
Population
Adult and Pediatric
Guidelines/Instructions
This element should be collected along with the other elements from the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The minimum possible score on the GCS is 3 and the maximum possible score is 15. http: //www.glasgowcomascale.org/faq/ *Dealing with missing information: There are various different strategies for dealing with information that is missing because of factors interfering with assessment such as those described above. 1. Assess, communicate and make decisions using the remaining components. Although guidelines are often expressed in terms of a total GCS score, the trend in whichever of the components (eye, motor or verbal) can be assessed is still valuable. 2. Do not use number to record missing component; use Not testable . 3. Do not report a total score when a component is Not Testable because the score will be low and this could be confusing to medical colleagues. This may also imply that the patient is more unwell than they actually are. 4. It is possible using statistical methods to estimate a missing component from the findings in the other components. This is probably more relevant to research than clinical practice.
Preferred Question Text
GCS Total Score
Category Groups and Classifications
DiseaseDomainSub-Domain
General (For all diseases) Disease/Injury Related Events History of Disease/Injury Event
Traumatic Brain Injury Assessments and Examinations Physical/Neurological Examination
General (For all diseases) Assessments and Examinations Physical/Neurological Examination

Classification

Moderate/Severe TBI: Rehabilitation :
Core
Concussion/Mild TBI :
Core
Acute Hospitalized :
Core
General (For all diseases) :
Supplemental
Epidemiology :
Core
Keywords
Core_TBI
Labels
Effective Date
Until Date
Last Change Date
Fri Nov 25 13:08:56 EST 2022
See Also
Submitting Organization Name
NIH/NINDS
Submitting Contact Name
NINDSCDE
Submitting Contact Information
NINDSCDE@emmes.com
Steward Organization Name
NIH/NINDS
Steward Contact Name
NINDSCDE
Steward Contact Information
NINDSCDE@emmes.com
NINDS ID

Change History