The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a systematic, quantitative assessment tool to measure stroke-related neurological deficits. In clinical practice it can be used to evaluate and document neurological status in acute stroke patients, determine appropriate treatment and assist in standardizing communication between healthcare practitioners. The NIHSS has been shown to be a predictor of both short and long-term outcomes of stroke patients.
The NIHSS is designed to be a simple tool that can be administered in less than 10 minutes by physicians, nurses, or therapists.
