Hack’s Impairment Index (HII)
Provides a quantitative and standardized assessment of the degree of alcohol-induced impairment in emergency department patients.
INSTRUCTIONS
Use this score to objectively track and monitor symptoms of impairment in patients who present to the Emergency Department with alcohol-induced impairment.
When to Use
Pearls/Pitfalls
Why Use
Normal or baseline speech; conversive and appropriate
Imperfect speech; answers most questions appropriately
Slurred speech; answers few questions appropriately
Slurred speech; does not make sense
Unintelligible speech or only moans
Patient refused task
Can stand and walk, and is steady
Can stand and walk, but is unsteady
Can sit up and is steady, but cannot stand
Can sit up, but is unsteady
Cannot sit up
Patient refused task
No nystagmus; follows finger with eyes whole time
Minimal nystagmus; follows finger with eyes whole time
Moderate nystagmus; only follows finger with eyes for short distance
Profound nystagmus; unable to follow finger with eyes
Unable to participate
Patient refused task
Steady; accurate finger to target
Steady; inaccurate but touches target
Unsteady; inaccurate, barely touches target
Grossly unsteady; misses finger to target
Unable to participate
Patient refused task
Traces curve perfectly
Traces mostly inside lines
Traces mostly outside lines
Makes mark on paper
Unable to participate
Patient refused task
Result:
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