The modified vital index in prehospital emergency care

Many vital indices and scores have been proposed and used, particularly in relation to trauma. Most were primarily designed for and, within limits, are successful in hospital application. Attempts to use all or part of these in the prehospital context are misguided. There is a major difference between this phase of emergency care and hospital care, and that is the inability to provide a definitive end-point of treatment. A new score is proposed, the modified vital index (MVI) based on vital signs and other parameters important in the prehospital context. The value of the MVI lies in its adaptability to emergency medical care systems at all stages of development. The necessity for the MVI is outlined, as is the detailed working of the system. The hope is expressed that through adaptation of the MVI in different areas a consolidated prehospital scoring system may be achieved.