The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is the standard tool for rating of pain – either patients’ own rating or rated by the health care worker. The VAS methodology can also be used for rating of other soft variables such as skill, confidence, quality of team work etc.
The VAS frame measures exactly 10 cm. The distance from zero to the markings in cm are result indicators to be processed as continuous variables for statistical analysis.
- VAS1, 8.5, is the level of pain as assessed by the paramedic at first contact in-field, before pain relief is given.
- VAS2, 3.3, is the level of pain as assessed by the same paramedic on hospital admission, the patient treated by pain killers during the evacuation.
- The difference (VAS1) – (VAS2) is an indicator of the analgesic effect.