🧠 Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
Screen for delirium at the bedside with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).
Clinical takeaway
Features 1 and 2 are both required.
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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
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
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 course | No |
|---|---|
| 2. Inattention | No |
| 3. Disorganised thinking | No |
| 4. Altered level of consciousness | No |
→CAMNegative
- Algorithm：Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4)
- Result：Criteria not met.
| 1. Acute onset and fluctuating course | Yes |
|---|---|
| 2. Inattention | Yes |
| 3. Disorganised thinking | Yes |
| 4. Altered level of consciousness | Yes |
→CAMPositive
- Algorithm：Delirium = (Feature 1 AND 2) AND (Feature 3 OR 4)
- Result：Criteria met — delirium likely; identify and treat the cause.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)?
- Screen for delirium at the bedside with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).
- How is Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Delirium = (acute onset/fluctuating course AND inattention) AND (disorganised thinking OR altered consciousness).
- When is Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) used?
- Detect delirium in hospitalised and elderly patients.
- What are the key clinical points for Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)?
- Features 1 and 2 are both required. Assess attention formally (months backward, digit span). CAM-ICU adapts this for ventilated patients.
- 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.
- 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.）