• News
  • Health
    • Injury
    • Trauma

Injury Severity Score - Determining The Seriousness Of Injuries

7.7KShares
199.2KViews

The Injury Severity Score (ISS) is an anatomical scoring system that provides an overall score for patients with multiple injuries.

Each injury is assigned an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score, allocated to one of six body regions:

  • head
  • face
  • chest
  • abdomen
  • extremities (including pelvis)
  • external

Only the highest AIS score in each body region is used.

The three most severely injured body regions have their score squared and added together to produce the ISS score.

COPYRIGHT_SPINE: Published on https://spinal-injury.net/injury-severity-score/ by Dr. Bill Butcher on 2022-10-24T11:17:32.075Z

Are Pain Intensity and Injury Severity the Same? Episode 14

ISS Calculator

The ISS Calculator can be found online. One just simply needs to input the right details and the computation will be performed online on someone’s behalf.

The parts of the body under the “Abbreviated Injury Scale” include the Head, Face, Chest, Abdomen, Extremities, and External.

In her article published by MDCalc.com, Dr. Susan Baker, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who specializes in injury prevention, identified seven descriptions for a specific injury.

For example, the question is: “Head and neck worst injury?” The following are the answers (as mentioned by Dr. Baker) to arrive at an Injury Severity Score:

  • No injury
  • Minor
  • Moderate
  • Serious
  • Severe
  • Critical
  • Unsurvivable
A female adult with a head bandage gets her temperature checked via an automatic thermometer
A female adult with a head bandage gets her temperature checked via an automatic thermometer

ISS Calculation

A sample calculation for an Injury Severity Score is shown below:

1. First example

a. Region - head and neck

b. Injury Description - cerebral contusion

c. Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) - 3

d. Square Top Three - 9

2. Second example

a. Region - face

b. Injury Description - no injury

c. AIS - 0

d. Square Top Three - none

3. Third example

a. Region - chest

b. Injury Description - flail chest

c. AIS - 4

d. Square Top Three - 16

Illustration of a rib cage with four adhesive bandages on the right side to show a flail chest
Illustration of a rib cage with four adhesive bandages on the right side to show a flail chest

4. Fourth example

a. Region - abdomen

b. First Injury Description - minor contusion of liver

c. AIS - 2

d. Second Injury Description - complex rupture spleen

e. AIS - 5

f. Square Top Three - 25

A spiral bandage is placed on the abdomen of a slim male wearing a blue long sleeved polo
A spiral bandage is placed on the abdomen of a slim male wearing a blue long sleeved polo

5. Fifth example

a. Region - extremity

b. Injury Description - fractured femur

c. AIS - 3

d. Square Top Three - none

6. Sixth example

a. Region - external

b. Injury Description - no injury

c. AIS - 0

d. Square Top Three - (blank)

Add all the scores under “Square Top Three” and the Injury Severity Score is 50.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Dr. Bill Butcher

Dr. Bill Butcher - With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Bill Butcher aims to provide a repository for educational materials, sources of information, details of forthcoming events, and original articles related to the medical field and about health subjects that matter to you. His goal is to help make your life better, to help you find your way when faced with healthcare decisions, and to help you feel better about your health and that of your family. Bill received his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and spent his entire career helping people find the health and medical information, support, and services they need. His mission is to help millions of people feel fantastic by restoring them to optimal health.

Recent Articles

  • Synthes Va Ankle Trauma Inventory

    Trauma

    Synthes Va Ankle Trauma Inventory

    "Synthes VA Ankle Trauma Inventory" is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate the functional status of individuals who have experienced ankle trauma. The tool is specifically designed for use in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals who have undergone surgery for ankle trauma. The "Synthes VA Ankle Trauma Inventory" is an important tool for medical professionals who are involved in the care and treatment of individuals with ankle trauma.

  • Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory - A Comprehensive Approach To Ankle Trauma Management

    Trauma

    Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory - A Comprehensive Approach To Ankle Trauma Management

    Ankle trauma is a common injury that affects individuals of all ages and can result in significant pain and disability. The Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory (SATI) is a comprehensive approach to the management of ankle trauma, designed to provide the necessary resources to address the specific needs of patients with ankle injuries. The SATI is a collaboration between Synthes, a leading provider of medical devices and solutions, and leading ankle trauma experts.

  • Dealcoholization In Tissue Processing - Ensuring Accurate Tissue Analysis

    Health

    Dealcoholization In Tissue Processing - Ensuring Accurate Tissue Analysis

    Dealcoholization in tissue processing refers to the removal of alcohol from biological samples during the tissue preparation process. This technique is critical in ensuring accurate and reliable analysis results, as the presence of alcohol can interfere with various molecular and cellular assays.

  • Unscramble Trauma - A Journey To Healing

    Trauma

    Unscramble Trauma - A Journey To Healing

    Trauma is a difficult and complex experience that can leave an individual feeling disoriented and shattered. Unscramble trauma refers to the process of making sense of a traumatic event, coming to terms with its impact, and learning to live with its aftermath. It is a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth that requires courage, resilience, and support.

  • What Is Dealcoholization Of Wine And What Are Its Benefits For Health?

    Health

    What Is Dealcoholization Of Wine And What Are Its Benefits For Health?

    Dealcoholization of wine is the process of getting rid of all or part of the wine's ethanol, which is what most people call the alcohol in wine. Aside from being alcohol-free, it may have a distinct flavor and aroma.

  • Most Common Injuries In Medicine

    Injury

    Most Common Injuries In Medicine

    For some common injuries, personal injury therapy is enough, and you don't need to do much else. On the other hand, some injuries, even if they don't seem serious, need help right away.

  • Energy Healing For Spinal Cord Injuries

    Injury

    Energy Healing For Spinal Cord Injuries

    Energy healing is a traditional way to heal that restores the balance and flow of energy throughout the body, mind, and spirit and can help you with a spinal injury.

  • The Importance Of Accessibility In Preventing Injuries And Promoting Inclusivity In Building Design

    Injury

    The Importance Of Accessibility In Preventing Injuries And Promoting Inclusivity In Building Design

    Accessibility not only promotes inclusivity but also plays a significant role in preventing injuries. In this article, we will explore the importance of accesibility in preventing injuries.

  • Meet The Richest Doctors Across The World

    Health

    Meet The Richest Doctors Across The World

    Most doctors make a good living, but it takes time to get good at what they do, build a good reputation, and move up to the big leagues. Find out who the richest doctors in the world are in different fields of medicine by reading on.

  • Healing Crystals For Spinal Cord Injuries

  • The Worst Injuries Ever In Soccer And The Players Who Almost Finished Their Careers For Them

  • Famous People With Spinal Cord Injuries - Everyone Can Suffer A Spinal Injury

  • The FAST Examination - Focused Assessment With Sonography In Trauma

  • BarbComa AKA Barbiturate Coma - Important Details