Revised Trauma Score
Calculate the Revised Trauma Score (RTS) from Glasgow Coma Scale, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Free online RTS calculator with survival probability assessment and clinical interpretation.
About This Calculator
About the Revised Trauma Score (RTS)
The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system used by emergency physicians, trauma surgeons, and intensive care specialists to assess the severity of traumatic injuries and predict survival probability. Developed by Champion and colleagues and published in The Journal of Trauma in 1989, the RTS is a refinement of the original Trauma Score that uses only three routinely measured clinical parameters — eliminating less reliable components from the earlier version.
The RTS combines coded measurements of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and Respiratory Rate (RR). Each parameter is assigned a coded value from 0 to 4 based on clinically defined ranges. These coded values are multiplied by weighting factors (0.9368 for GCS, 0.7326 for SBP, and 0.2908 for RR) derived from regression analysis of a large North American trauma database. The weighted contributions are summed to produce the final RTS score, which ranges from 0 (worst prognosis) to 7.8408 (best prognosis).
The RTS serves several critical purposes in trauma care: it enables standardized communication about injury severity among healthcare providers, supports triage decisions including trauma center versus community hospital transport, provides prognostic information for patients and families, and facilitates clinical research by providing a consistent severity measure across patient populations. An RTS of 4 or less indicates severe physiological derangement and warrants treatment at a designated trauma center.
Regional Notes
The RTS is used worldwide in trauma systems including the United States (American College of Surgeons trauma center verification), the United Kingdom (Major Trauma Networks), and India (emergency medicine protocols). The scoring system and survival probability data are derived from North American populations, but the physiological assessment principles apply globally. Clinical judgment should always accompany RTS findings regardless of region.
This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for trauma assessment and management decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Revised Trauma Score (RTS)?
The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system, based on the original Trauma Score by Champion et al., used to assess trauma severity and predict survival probability. It combines coded measurements of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and Respiratory Rate (RR) using weighted coefficients derived from regression analysis.
How is the RTS calculated?
RTS is calculated using the formula: RTS = (0.9368 × GCS coded value) + (0.7326 × SBP coded value) + (0.2908 × RR coded value). Each parameter is assigned a coded value from 0 to 4 based on clinical ranges. The score ranges from 0 (worst prognosis) to 7.8408 (best prognosis).
What is the RTS threshold for trauma center referral?
An RTS value of 4 or less indicates high severity and the patient should be treated at a designated trauma center. Patients with RTS values above 4 have lower physiological derangement and may be managed in standard emergency care settings.
How does RTS correlate with survival probability?
RTS directly correlates with survival probability. An RTS of 0 corresponds to approximately 2.7% survival, RTS of 4 to 60.5%, and RTS of 7.8408 to 98.8%. This relationship helps clinicians triage patients and communicate prognosis to families.
Who developed the Revised Trauma Score?
The Revised Trauma Score was developed by Champion and colleagues, who also authored the original Trauma Score. The revised version was published in 1989 in The Journal of Trauma after analyzing a large North American trauma database to derive the weighted coefficients.
What are the three components of the RTS?
The RTS evaluates three physiological parameters: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assessing neurological status, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) assessing hemodynamic stability, and Respiratory Rate (RR) assessing respiratory function. Each component is categorized into coded values from 0 to 4.
Can the RTS be used in pre-hospital settings?
Yes, the RTS is designed for use in both pre-hospital and hospital settings. Its three components are routinely assessed in emergency situations. The simplicity of the scoring system makes it practical for field triage, ambulance transport decisions, and emergency department evaluation.