Live Syllabus

DEFINITION:

*Disability Rating Scale ratings are to be completed at every follow-up evaluation. Indicate ratings for all items. Information about the DRS is available from COMBI at these two links: Introduction to the DRS (http://www.tbims.org/combi/drs/index.html); Definition of DRS items (http://www.tbims.org/combi/drs/drssyl.html)

There are four acceptable versions of the DRS data collection form: 23b.DRS Rating Form (COMBI) (http://tbims.org/combi/drs/drsrat.html), PDF DRS form (COMBI) (http://www.tbims.org/combi/drs/drs.pdf), 23a.Disability Rating Scale Form (SCVMC 9/16/97), and 23h.DRS Form (SCVMC 9/2003). The version(s) your Center uses should be found in Appendix J.

CODE:

1. Eye Opening:
0 Spontaneous
1 To Speech
2 To Pain
3 None
7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9 Unknown, or assessment not done

2. Communication Ability (Verbal, writing, or letter board or sign - e.g. eye blink, head nod):
0 Oriented
1 Confused
2 Inappropriate
3 Incomprehensible
7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9 Unknown, or assessment not done

3. Motor Response:
0 Obeying
1 Localizing
2 Withdrawing
3 Flexing
4 Extending
5 None
7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9 Unknown, or assessment not done

Items 4,5,6,7 and 8 can be rated on a .5 scale. For example, if patient's feeding ability falls between 1.0 (Partial) and 2.0 (Minimal), use a rating of 1.5.

4. Feeding (cognitive ability only):
0.0 Complete
0.5 Between complete and partial
1.0 Partial
1.5 Between partial and minimal
2.0 Minimal
2.5 Between minimal and none
3.0 None
7.7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9.9 Unknown, or assessment not done

5. Toileting (cognitive ability only):
0.0 Complete
0.5 Between complete and partial
1.0 Partial
1.5 Between partial and minimal
2.0 Minimal
2.5 Between minimal and none
3.0 None
7.7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9.9 Unknown, or assessment not done

6. Grooming (cognitive ability only):
0.0 Complete
0.5 Between complete and partial
1.0 Partial
1.5 Between partial and minimal
2.0 Minimal
2.5 Between minimal and none
3.0 None
7.7 Not due this year [Code no longer used; data now collected in all follow-up years.]
9.9 Unknown, or assessment not done

7. Level of Functioning (physical and cognitive disability):
0.0 Completely Independent
0.5 Between completely indep and indep in special environ.
1.0 Independent in Special Environment
1.5 Between indep in special environ and mildly depend.
2.0 Mildly Dependent-limited assistance (non-resid helper)
2.5 Between mildly depend. and moderately dependent
3.0 Moderately Dependent-moderate assist (person in home)
3.5 Between moderately dependent and markedly dependent
4.0 Markedly Dependent-assist all major activities, all times
4.5 Between markedly dependent and totally dependent
5.0 Totally Dependent - 24 hour nursing care
9.9 Unknown, or assessment not done

8. "Employability" (As a full time worker, homemaker, or student):
0.0 Not Restricted
0.5 Between not restricted and selective jobs, competitive
1.0 Selected Jobs, Competitive
1.5 Between selected jobs and sheltered workshop
2.0 Sheltered Workshop, Non-competitive
2.5 Between sheltered workshop and not employable
3.0 Not Employable
9.9 Unknown, or assessment not done

NOTE:

An example of an appropriate use of a .5 rating for the "Employability" item is: the individual, upon being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation, was placed with his former employer, who modified the job requirements because of reduced performance after the TBI (rating of 1). The individual, had he had to start over with a new, unfamiliar job, may have been more suited for a non-competitive sheltered workshop environment (rating of 2), but is able to function successfully in his present position due to extenuating circumstances. He falls between a rating of 1 and 2 and should be rated 1.5. There are times, especially in the "Employability" item, when a client does not fit in one category or another, but falls in between two descriptions. This is when to use the .5 rating, i.e., only when a case does not fit fairly well within an existing "whole number" category. The .5 ratings are available to increase the sensitivity of the scale.

Total score is calculated using a computer program.

Every effort should be made to obtain the DRS assessments, however, if any items cannot be assessed, use code 9. Do not leave blanks.

See: Frequently Asked Questions about DRS (COMBI) (http://www.tbims.org/combi/drs/drsfaq.html)

See: DRS properties (COMBI) (http://www.tbims.org/combi/drs/drsprop.html)