Prospective evaluation of the CRAMS scale for triaging major trauma.

In order to effectively implement a community-wide trauma system, a mechanism of field triage is required. This process of triage should be simple to use and should accurately identify patients who are in need of level I trauma facility care. It should also allow the less critically injured to be cared for at the local hospital of their choice or at the nearest community hospital. The CRAMS (Circulation, Respiration, Abdomen, Motor, Speech) scale was prospectively studied as a potential triage tool by using it to score patients in the field and then comparing their scores to their emergency room dispositions and final outcomes. The CRAMS scale was easy to apply and accurately identified both the critically injured who should be triaged to a Level I center and the less critically injured who can be adequately cared for by Level II and III centers.