Can I use the Westmead PTA Scale with other neurological patients?
'The Westmead PTA Scale was designed for patients with traumatic brain injury. Please note that this precludes penetrating or missile head trauma and other neurological disorders including hypoxia.'
How do you determine the length of PTA when the patient has been in PTA but this has resolved by the time testing has taken place i.e. their results on the Westmead PTA Scale are perfect from day one of testing - 7/7, 12/12, 12/12, 12/12 ?
Well in this case, one can not demonstrate that the patient was in PTA using the Westmead PTA Scale. Therefore, one needs to examine the medical record to see if there were periods of disorientation and odd behaviour. (The routine GCS score may also provide useful information.) At least in this case, you can be certain that the patient was out of PTA on the first day of formal testing.
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