The respiratory rate.

Sir, The recording of a patients respiratory rate is an integral part of trauma scoring. Yet 10% of MTOS patients are excluded from TRISS analysis, most because one or more of the revized trauma score variables has not been assessed or recorded (Cope et al., 1989). We should like to draw attention to a respiratory rate monitor (available from Simonsen and Weel Ltd). The unit detects respiration by measuring changes in thoracic compedents via the same set of electrodes that are used for ECG measurement. By providing a display of the respiratory rate and respiration wave amplitude this may act as a potent reminder to record this important physiological variable. Perhaps we should aim for all resuscitation monitoring equipment both in the pre-hospital and hospital phases to provide the respiratory rate as standard.