Confusion Assessment Method

rdf:langString Confusion Assessment Method

rdf:langString Delirium is a common and serious problem, particularly impacting older adults during hospitalization, acute illness, ICU stay, or surgery. Created in 1990 by Dr. Sharon Inouye, the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) rapidly became among the most widely used tools for identification of delirium, since it provided a quick, accurate, and standardized approach. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a diagnostic tool developed to allow physicians and nurses to identify delirium in the healthcare setting. It was designed to be brief (less than 5 minutes to perform) and based on criteria from the third edition-revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). The CAM rates four diagnostic features, including acute onset and fluctuating course, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness. The CAM requires that a brief cognitive test is performed before it is completed. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and adapted for use across multiple settings.