Sorting variables for each case: a new algorithm to calculate injury severity score (ISS) using SPSS-PC

Area of Science:

• Trauma research
• Medical informatics
• Biostatistics

Background:

• The Injury Severity Score (ISS) is a standard measure for assessing multiple traumatic injuries.
• Accurate ISS calculation relies on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) values.
• Existing methods may require manual sorting or lack efficiency for complex injury patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel algorithm for systematically sorting Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) values.
• To enhance the accuracy and efficiency of calculating the Injury Severity Score (ISS).
• To provide a tool for improved analysis of multiple injuries and injury clusters.

Main Methods:

• The proposed algorithm processes unsorted AIS levels for individual patients.
• It rearranges the AIS values in descending order based on severity.
• The top three AIS values corresponding to the most severe injuries are used for ISS calculation.

Main Results:

• The algorithm successfully sorts AIS values and calculates ISS.
• It offers a standardized and automated approach to ISS determination.
• Demonstrates potential for improved analysis in cases with multiple, severe injuries.

Conclusions:

• The developed algorithm provides an efficient method for calculating the Injury Severity Score (ISS).
• This tool is expected to benefit the analysis of injury clusters and patients with multiple traumas.
• Facilitates more precise assessment in trauma research and clinical practice.