AbstractThe evaluation of the care of the multiple trauma patient requires indices that predict survival or death and that reveal the presence or absence of complications. This article reviews briefly the different scales that have been developed. It is concluded that both anatomic and physiologic injury scores are required. A methodology of patient care evaluation is then developed based upon preliminary method (PRE), a state transition screen (STS), and a definitive method (DEF). The preliminary method is illustrated by use of the Trauma Score and the Injury Severity Score to predict patient outcome. This is then compared with the actual patient outcome. The STS methodology reveals patients who are better or worse than expected in their course in the hospital. The DEF method is used for comparison between institutions or for different time periods at a given institution.