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🧠 Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

UseDetect delirium in hospitalised and elderly patients.

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SourceInouye SK, et al. Ann Intern Med 1990

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Scene next step
📋sedation deliriumOpen scene pack →
Related scores
Matching pathway
🧭benzo_odOpen pathway →
Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

Features 1 and 2 are both required.

When to use

Detect delirium in hospitalised and elderly patients.

How it works

Delirium = (acute onset/fluctuating course AND inattention) AND (disorganised thinking OR altered consciousness).

Key points

  • Features 1 and 2 are both required.
  • Assess attention formally (months backward, digit span).
  • CAM-ICU adapts this for ventilated patients.

References

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.

1. Acute onset and fluctuating courseNo
2. InattentionNo
3. Disorganised thinkingNo
4. Altered level of consciousnessNo

→CAMNegative

  • Algorithm：Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4)
  • Result：Criteria not met.
1. Acute onset and fluctuating courseYes
2. InattentionYes
3. Disorganised thinkingYes
4. Altered level of consciousnessYes

→CAMPositive

  • Algorithm：Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4)
  • Result：Criteria met — delirium likely; identify and treat the cause.
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits and cautions when using Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) 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 Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: 1. Acute onset and fluctuating course No, 2. Inattention No, 3. Disorganised thinking No, 4. Altered level of consciousness No → Result: CAM Negative（Algorithm: Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4), Result: Criteria not met.） Inputs: 1. Acute onset and fluctuating course Yes, 2. Inattention Yes, 3. Disorganised thinking Yes, 4. Altered level of consciousness Yes → Result: CAM Positive（Algorithm: Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4), Result: Criteria met — delirium likely; identify and treat the cause.）
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