It is important for physicians and other health care providers who are evaluating a person with a brain injury to make some accurate assessment of the patient’s state of consciousness. On one end would be an alert individual with no impairment who can follow commands and converse normally. On the other end of the scale would be what most would consider a person in a coma, lying mute and immobile. There many stages in between those extremes.

It is also important for people dealing with relatives with brain injuries to note that patients in coma are not always immobile. Depending on where the brain is injured and how severely, the patient may make movements or open eyes in a reflex way, or abnormal way. This does not mean the person is aware or not in a coma. For example, a patient that draws back in abnormal way from a painful stimulus may simply be exhibiting a reflex reaction to pain. It becomes more important to understand these reactions as time goes on, to get an idea of recovery.

 

First, though, comes the initial assessment, and the Glasgow Coma Scale is usually part of that initial assessment. It is used most often to assess individuals with altered consciousness with brain injury. It was first published in a 1974 issue of the Lancet medical journal, written by Graham Teasdale and Bryan J. Jennett.  The two were professors of neurosurgery at the University of Glasgow, which gave the Scale its name. It has been slightly modified since then.

Physicians rate a patient as follows, using the best reaction in each category.

RESPONSE                                       SCORE

EYES OPEN: Does the patient open his or her eyes.

Spontaneously                                                  4

In response to speech                                       3

In response to pain                                           2

Absent - does not open eyes                            1

 

VERBAL

 

Converses and is oriented                                 5

Converses but is disoriented                              4

Inappropriate words                                         3

Incomprehensible sounds                                  2

Absent - makes no sounds                                1

 

 

MOTOR

 

Obeys commands                                             6

Localizes painful stimuli                                     5

Withdraws from painful stimuli in flexion            4

Withdraws abnormally in flexion                        3

Extends in response to painful stimuli                 2

Absent - no reaction to pain                              1

 

 

The total number of points is added up. Patients who score 8 or below are said to be in severe coma. 9 to 12 points indicates moderate coma, while 13 to 15 means mild coma in this grading system.

 

This grading system is important in terms of both treatment and prognosis. Minimally to moderately impaired individuals have a better chance of recovery, and recovery with less permanent damage. Patients in severe comas from brain injury have poor prognoses. They are more likely to die, and if they survive, they are more likely to have serious disability.

 

While a doctor will probably not tell a family member the Glasgow Score, anyone who is at the site of the trauma might hear medical personnel assessing the patient this way. So would someone arriving in an emergency room, perhaps in the ambulance with the patient.

 

 

Brain Injury Compensation Claim Solicitors

 

We are qualified lawyers specialising in compensation claims for personal injury resulting from UK accidents caused by the negligence of a third party. We deal with physical injuries of the utmost severity including catastrophic damage to the spinal cord and brain and consequential psychological damage. If you would like to speak to a brain injury compensation claims solicitor without any obligation whatsoever just use the contact form or call the helpline. Our advice is free and if you decide to use our services we operate a totally risk free no win no fee scheme. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and win or lose there is no charge.

 

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