Forty years on: updating the Glasgow Coma Scale

Teasdale, Sir Graham

Sir Graham Teasdale is emeritus professor of neurosurgery, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow; Douglas Allan was senior lecturer, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University; Paul Brennan, is clinical lecturer in neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, IGMM, University of Edinburgh; Evelyn McElhinney is lecturer, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University; Laura Mackinnon is senior charge nurse, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

• This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

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Nursing Times 110(42):p 12-16, October 15, 2014.

Forty years after its initial implementation, the Glasgow Coma Scale has been updated to address variations in technique that have developed over time

In this article…

> Variations in the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale
> Review of the scale's composition and its application
> Structured approach to assessment

Abstract

Teasdale G (2014) Forty years on: updating the Glasgow Coma Scale. Nursing Times; 110: 42, 12–16.

Since the Glasgow Coma Scale was developed 40 years ago it has been accepted throughout the world as a method for assessing impaired consciousness. This article addresses the variations in technique that have developed since the scale was published. The details of the composition of the scale and its application are reviewed, and a structured approach to assessment set out. These provide a basis for standardising practice and ensure the scale is useful, in a practical sense, in the future.