🧠 Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM)
UseWhen to use: acute confusion / altered mental status in the ED or wards.
StrataPositive bCAM supports delirium — investigate triggers and protect the patient.
LimitsWhen not to use: replacing full CAM-ICU in ventilated ICU patients wh… · Pitfall: missing hypoactive delirium. · Not a restraint order.
SourceBrief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM)
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
F1+F2+(F3|F4).
When to use
When to use: acute confusion / altered mental status in the ED or wards.
How it works
Positive if F1 AND F2 AND (F3 OR F4).
Key points
- F1+F2+(F3|F4).
- ED CAM variant.
- Next: cause hunt / safety.
References
- Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM)
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Feature 1 — Acute onset or fluctuating course | Absent |
|---|---|
| Feature 2 — Inattention | Absent |
| Feature 3 — Disorganized thinking | Absent |
| Feature 4 — Altered level of consciousness | Absent (alert) |
→bCAMNegative
- F1 acute/fluctuating：No
- F2 inattention：No
- F3 disorganized：No
| Feature 1 — Acute onset or fluctuating course | Present |
|---|---|
| Feature 2 — Inattention | Present |
| Feature 3 — Disorganized thinking | Present |
| Feature 4 — Altered level of consciousness | Present (RASS ≠ 0 / not alert) |
→bCAMPositive
- F1 acute/fluctuating：Yes
- F2 inattention：Yes
- F3 disorganized：Yes
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Feature 1 — Acute onset or fluctuating course Absent, Feature 2 — Inattention Absent, Feature 3 — Disorganized thinking Absent, Feature 4 — Altered level of consciousness Absent (alert) → Result: bCAM Negative（F1 acute/fluctuating: No, F2 inattention: No, F3 disorganized: No） Inputs: Feature 1 — Acute onset or fluctuating course Present, Feature 2 — Inattention Present, Feature 3 — Disorganized thinking Present, Feature 4 — Altered level of consciousness Present (RASS ≠ 0 / not alert) → Result: bCAM Positive（F1 acute/fluctuating: Yes, F2 inattention: Yes, F3 disorganized: Yes）