Glasgow Outcome Scale

A system for classifying the outcome of persons who survive.  The categories range from “Good Recovery” in which the patient appears to regain the pre-injury level of social and career activity (even if there are some minor residual abnormal neurological signs”; “Moderate Disability” in which the patient does not regain the former level of activity but is completely independent with respect to the activities of daily life; “Severe Disability” is defined as a state wherein the conscious, communicating patient is still dependent on the help of others.  The original scale has eight outcome categories.  This scale relates to functional independence and not residual deficits.