The Simplified Motor Score (SMS) is a clinical calculator used in the assessment of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is a simplified version of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), focusing solely on the motor response component. The SMS is used to predict the need for neurosurgical intervention and the likelihood of survival following TBI.
The patient population for the SMS includes individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. This can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, often resulting from incidents such as falls, vehicle accidents, or violence.
The clinical utility of the SMS is its simplicity and ease of use, especially in emergency settings where a quick assessment is crucial. It helps clinicians to rapidly stratify the severity of TBI, guide treatment decisions, and provide prognostic information.
The SMS may not be applicable or accurate in patients with pre-existing neurological disorders, those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or those with other injuries that could affect motor response. It is also less detailed than the full GCS, and therefore may not capture the full extent of a patient's neurological impairment.
Reference
David O Thompson, Timothy R Hurtado, Michael M Liao et al. Validation of the Simplified Motor Score in the out-of-hospital setting for the prediction of outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Ann Emerg Med. 2011 Nov;58(5):417-25.
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