The History of the Glasgow Coma Scale: Implications for Practice.
Publication/Presentation Date
2-1-2001
Abstract
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has been the gold standard of neurologic assessment for trauma patients since its development by Jennett and Teasdale in the early 1970s. The GCS was found to be a simple tool to use. It became the method of choice for trauma care practitioners to document neurologic findings over time and predict functional outcome. Although the scale has been shown to be effective, many authors have cited weaknesses in the scale including the inability to predict outcome, variation in inter-rater reliability, and the inconsistent use by caregivers in the prehospital and hospital settings. This article outlines the components of the GCS and how practitioners can best use the scale, particularly in patients whose injuries and treatments make them difficult to assess.
Volume
23
Issue
4
First Page
52
Last Page
58
ISSN
0887-9303
Published In/Presented At
Fischer, J., & Mathieson, C. (2001). The history of the Glasgow Coma Scale: implications for practice.Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 23(4), 52-58.
Disciplines
Nursing
PubMedID
11852950
Department(s)
Patient Care Services / Nursing
Document Type
Article