Revised Trauma Score Calculator

Calculate Revised Trauma Score to assess trauma severity and predict outcomes.

The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system that evaluates trauma severity using Glasgow Coma Scale, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Essential for trauma triage and outcome prediction.

Example Cases

Explore common trauma scenarios and their RTS assessments

Minor Trauma

minor_trauma

Patient with minor injuries and normal vital signs

GCS Score: 15

Systolic BP: 120 mmHg

Respiratory Rate: 16 breaths/min

Moderate Trauma

moderate_trauma

Patient with moderate injuries and altered vital signs

GCS Score: 12

Systolic BP: 95 mmHg

Respiratory Rate: 24 breaths/min

Severe Trauma

severe_trauma

Patient with severe injuries and critical vital signs

GCS Score: 6

Systolic BP: 70 mmHg

Respiratory Rate: 35 breaths/min

Critical Trauma

critical_trauma

Patient with critical injuries and life-threatening vital signs

GCS Score: 3

Systolic BP: 50 mmHg

Respiratory Rate: 40 breaths/min

Other Titles
Understanding Revised Trauma Score: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn about the Revised Trauma Score, its components, scoring system, and clinical applications in trauma assessment

What is the Revised Trauma Score?

  • Definition and Purpose
  • Historical Development
  • Clinical Significance
The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system designed to assess trauma severity and predict patient outcomes. Developed as an improvement to the original Trauma Score, the RTS uses three key physiological parameters: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. This scoring system provides a standardized method for evaluating trauma patients and guiding clinical decisions.
Purpose and Applications
The RTS serves multiple critical purposes in trauma care. It provides a rapid, objective assessment of trauma severity, helps predict patient outcomes including mortality risk, guides triage decisions, and facilitates communication between healthcare providers. The RTS is particularly valuable in pre-hospital care, emergency departments, and trauma centers where rapid assessment is essential.
The scoring system has been extensively validated in clinical studies and is widely used in trauma registries, quality improvement programs, and research studies to standardize trauma assessment and outcome prediction.

Common Clinical Applications

  • Pre-hospital trauma triage and transport decisions
  • Emergency department trauma team activation
  • Trauma registry data collection and analysis

Components of the Revised Trauma Score

  • Glasgow Coma Scale Assessment
  • Systolic Blood Pressure Evaluation
  • Respiratory Rate Measurement
The Revised Trauma Score consists of three physiological parameters, each scored from 0 to 4 points based on specific criteria. These components are weighted differently in the final RTS calculation to reflect their relative importance in predicting trauma outcomes.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Weight: 0.9368
The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses neurological function through three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. GCS scores are converted to RTS points: GCS 13-15 = 4 points, GCS 9-12 = 3 points, GCS 6-8 = 2 points, GCS 4-5 = 1 point, GCS 3 = 0 points. The GCS has the highest weight in the RTS calculation, reflecting the critical importance of neurological status in trauma outcomes.
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) - Weight: 0.7326
Systolic blood pressure reflects cardiovascular status and tissue perfusion. SBP values are converted to RTS points: SBP >89 mmHg = 4 points, SBP 76-89 mmHg = 3 points, SBP 50-75 mmHg = 2 points, SBP 1-49 mmHg = 1 point, SBP 0 mmHg = 0 points. Blood pressure has the second highest weight, indicating its importance in trauma assessment.
Respiratory Rate (RR) - Weight: 0.2908
Respiratory rate indicates respiratory function and oxygenation status. RR values are converted to RTS points: RR 10-29 breaths/min = 4 points, RR >29 breaths/min = 3 points, RR 6-9 breaths/min = 2 points, RR 1-5 breaths/min = 1 point, RR 0 breaths/min = 0 points. Respiratory rate has the lowest weight but remains important for comprehensive trauma assessment.

Scoring Examples

  • GCS 15, SBP 120 mmHg, RR 16/min = Normal parameters
  • GCS 8, SBP 80 mmHg, RR 25/min = Moderate trauma indicators
  • GCS 3, SBP 60 mmHg, RR 35/min = Severe trauma indicators

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Revised Trauma Score

  • Assessment Procedure
  • Scoring Methodology
  • Calculation Process
Proper administration of the Revised Trauma Score requires systematic assessment of each component in a standardized manner. The assessment should be performed as soon as possible after trauma, with reassessment as the patient's condition changes.
Assessment Procedure
Begin by assessing the Glasgow Coma Scale. Evaluate eye opening response (spontaneous, to voice, to pain, or none), verbal response (oriented, confused, inappropriate words, incomprehensible sounds, or none), and motor response (obeys commands, localizes pain, withdraws from pain, flexion to pain, extension to pain, or none). Sum these scores to obtain the total GCS score.
Next, measure systolic blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer or automated device. Ensure proper cuff size and positioning for accurate measurement. Record the systolic value in mmHg.
Respiratory Rate Assessment
Finally, assess respiratory rate by counting breaths for one full minute or for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2. Observe chest wall movement and count each complete breath cycle (inhalation and exhalation).

Best Practices

  • Always assess all three components even if one component cannot be evaluated
  • Document the time of assessment and any interventions performed
  • Reassess RTS regularly to monitor changes in trauma severity

Real-World Applications of Revised Trauma Score

  • Pre-hospital Trauma Care
  • Emergency Department Triage
  • Trauma Center Management
The Revised Trauma Score has widespread applications across various healthcare settings and is particularly valuable in trauma care systems. Its standardized nature makes it invaluable for communication between healthcare providers and for tracking patient progress over time.
Pre-hospital Trauma Care
In pre-hospital settings, the RTS is used by emergency medical services to assess trauma severity, guide transport decisions, and determine the most appropriate destination hospital. RTS scores help identify patients requiring immediate transport to trauma centers versus those who can be transported to community hospitals.
Emergency Department Triage
In emergency departments, the RTS helps prioritize trauma patients and determine the level of care required. Low RTS scores typically trigger trauma team activation and expedited care, while higher scores may allow for standard evaluation protocols.
Trauma Center Management
In trauma centers, the RTS is used for quality assurance, outcome prediction, and resource allocation. Serial RTS assessments help monitor patient progress and guide treatment decisions throughout the hospital course.

Clinical Settings

  • Emergency medical services trauma triage protocols
  • Trauma team activation criteria in emergency departments
  • Trauma registry data collection and quality improvement

Mathematical Derivation and Examples

  • RTS Calculation Formula
  • Severity Classification
  • Outcome Prediction
The Revised Trauma Score uses a weighted mathematical formula to calculate the final score, with each component contributing differently to the overall assessment. The formula reflects the relative importance of each physiological parameter in predicting trauma outcomes.
RTS Calculation Formula
The RTS is calculated using the formula: RTS = (0.9368 × GCS Score) + (0.7326 × SBP Score) + (0.2908 × RR Score). Each component is first converted to a 0-4 point scale, then multiplied by its respective weight. The final RTS score ranges from 0 to 7.8408, with higher scores indicating better physiological status.
Severity Classification
Based on the RTS score, patients are classified into severity categories: RTS 7.84 (Minor trauma, <5% mortality), RTS 6.90-7.84 (Moderate trauma, 5-15% mortality), RTS 6.00-6.90 (Serious trauma, 15-30% mortality), RTS 4.00-6.00 (Severe trauma, 30-50% mortality), RTS <4.00 (Critical trauma, >50% mortality).
Outcome Prediction
The RTS has been validated for predicting various outcomes including mortality, length of hospital stay, need for intensive care, and functional outcomes. Lower RTS scores are associated with higher mortality rates and poorer functional outcomes, helping guide discussions with families about prognosis.

Calculation Examples

  • RTS calculation: GCS 15(4), SBP 120(4), RR 16(4) = 7.84
  • RTS calculation: GCS 8(2), SBP 80(3), RR 25(3) = 4.89
  • RTS calculation: GCS 3(0), SBP 60(2), RR 35(3) = 2.15