Detecting Delirium

Abstract This chapter appraises the development and implementation of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool for delirium detection in nonpsychiatric settings. The underlying study took place across multiple hospitals and involved elderly patients suspected of having delirium, dementia, or confusion. The CAM, a brief and efficient tool, includes a diagnostic algorithm that focuses on features such as acute onset, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered consciousness. The study found the CAM to have a high sensitivity and specificity, with interobserver reliability reaching 100%. Finally, the chapter emphasizes the clinical implications of CAM’s use, highlighting its effectiveness in identifying delirium and the need for further assessment when a positive result occurs.