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Revised Trauma Score (RTS)

The Revised Trauma Score weights coded GCS, systolic BP and respiratory rate: RTS = 0.9368·GCSc + 0.7326·SBPc + 0.2908·RRc (0 to 7.84; lower is worse). The unweighted triage version (T-RTS, 0–12) sums the codes; T-RTS <12 is the usual threshold for trauma-centre triage.

Glasgow Coma Scale
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg or kPa)
Respiratory rate (/min)

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Interpretation

Result	Meaning
7.8408	Normal physiology
< 4	Severe physiological derangement
T-RTS < 12	Consider trauma-centre triage

Formula

Codes: GCS 13–15→4, 9–12→3, 6–8→2, 4–5→1, 3→0 · SBP >89→4, 76–89→3, 50–75→2, 1–49→1, 0→0 · RR 10–29→4, >29→3, 6–9→2, 1–5→1, 0→0. RTS = 0.9368·GCSc + 0.7326·SBPc + 0.2908·RRc; T-RTS = GCSc + SBPc + RRc.

Clinical pearls

The weighted RTS is for outcome evaluation and the TRISS survival model; the unweighted T-RTS is for field triage.
GCS dominates the weighted score, so RTS tracks head-injury outcomes better than the original Trauma Score.

Examples

rts gcs 15 sbp 120 rr 16 revised trauma score for GCS 8, BP 80 systolic, resp rate 32

FAQ

What is a normal Revised Trauma Score?

7.8408 (all three codes = 4), corresponding to a T-RTS of 12.

What is the difference between RTS and T-RTS?

RTS is weighted and used for outcome prediction; T-RTS is the simple sum of codes (0–12) used for triage.

Evidence

Champion HR et al. A revision of the Trauma Score. J Trauma 1989;29:623–9.

Emergency & Trauma · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology