RibScore

This tool should not be used as the sole basis of care; use clinical judgment and a complete clinical evaluation. 

• Score ≤ 1: Patients may be candidates for nonoperative management in a ward setting or early discharge.  
• Score ≥ 2: Patients may require inpatient management focused on multimodal pain control to ensure adequate pulmonary hygiene and secretion clearance, which may help prevent progression to pneumonia.  
• Score: ≥ 4: 
  
  • Strongly associated with a risk of pulmonary complications.
  • Patients likely require intensive monitoring and aggressive interventions, including consideration for early surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).

• Never delay resuscitative efforts for diagnostic testing, especially in an unstable patient. 
• History and physical exam should always be performed prior to diagnostic testing.