From the Research
Definition of the Hack Score
The Hack score, also known as the Hack's Impairment Index (HII) score, is a standardized assessment tool used to quantify the degree of alcohol-induced impairment in patients in emergency departments.
- It applies a numerical value to the degree of impairment, with patients scored 0-4 on five tasks, divided by the maximum score (20 if all tasks completed) 1, 2.
- The HII score is used to assess the level of disability in patients with alcohol-induced impairment and to determine when a patient is safe to be discharged.
Components of the Hack Score
The Hack score is composed of five tasks that are used to assess a patient's level of impairment.
- These tasks are designed to evaluate a patient's ability to perform certain functions, such as walking, talking, and following instructions 1, 2.
- The score is calculated by assigning a numerical value to each task, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Use of the Hack Score in Emergency Departments
The Hack score is used in emergency departments to assess patients with alcohol-induced impairment.
- It is used to determine the level of care that a patient requires and to monitor their progress over time 1, 2.
- The score can be used to identify patients who are at risk of harm to themselves or others and to provide targeted interventions to reduce this risk.
Electronic Version of the Hack Score
An electronic version of the Hack score has been developed, which can be used on mobile devices.
- This version of the score has been shown to be effective in assessing patients with alcohol-induced impairment and does not interfere with nursing performance 3.