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CRAMS Scale Score

Purpose: To calculate the CRAMS scale score for a trauma patient, to aid in patient triage.

Description

The CRAMS Scale (Circulation, Respiration, Abdomen, Motor, Speech) measures 5 components and is intended to triage those patients requiring transport to a trauma center. It is intended to reduce the number of minor trauma cases referred to trauma centers.


Parameters:

(1) systolic blood pressure or capillary refill

(2) respirations

(3) examination of trunk

(4) motor

(5) speech

 

Parameter

Finding

Points

systolic blood pressure or capillary refill

blood pressure > 100 mm Hg, or normal capillary refill

2

 

85 <= blood pressure <= 100 mm Hg, or delayed capillary refill

1

 

blood pressure <85 mm Hg, or no capillary refill

0

respirations

normal

2

 

abnormal (labored and/or shallow)

1

 

absent

0

trunk

thorax and abdomen nontender

2

 

thorax or abdomen tender

1

 

rigid abdomen, flail chest, penetrating wound to chest, or penetrating wound to abdomen

0

motor

normal

2

 

responds only to pain

1

 

no response or decerebrate

0

speech

normal

2

 

confused

1

 

no intelligible words

0

 

CRAMS scale =

= (points for systolic blood pressure or capillary refill) + (points for respirations) + (points for trunk findings) + (points for motor response) + (points for speech)

 

Interpretation:

• maximum score (indicating least affected) : 10

• minimum score (indicating most affected) : 0

• score <= 8: major trauma (those who died in ED or who required emergency surgery)

• score >= 9: minor trauma


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10