The probability of death score: a measure of injury severity for use in planning and evaluating accident prevention

Abstract

This paper presents a number of new analytic options in using injury severity as a criterion in planning and evaluating accident prevention. Procedures are outlined for using the Abbreviated Injury Scale and the Probability of Death Score to describe injury severity in groups of trauma victims, to predict mortality and lost person years, to calculate activity risks and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of prevention. Cautions in the use of the Abbreviated Injury Scale are discussed as are the comparative advantages of injury severity scaling versus injury outcome measures.