Acute confusion assessment instruments: clinical versus research usability

Appl Nurs Res. 2000 Feb;13(1):37-45. doi: 10.1016/s0897-1897(00)80017-8.

Abstract

Acute confusion (AC), also referred to as delirium (AC/delirium), is a common problem seen by health professionals who work in a variety of care settings. This is an evaluative report on the clinical usability of instruments to assess AC/delirium as a part of nursing practice. Specifically, five instruments [the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Delirium Symptom Inventory (DSI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Neelon/Champagne (NEECHAM) Confusion Scale] are discussed. The work demonstrates how the cooperation of nurses in practice, education, and research can improve both patient and staff outcomes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Confusion / classification
  • Confusion / diagnosis*
  • Confusion / nursing*
  • Confusion / psychology
  • Humans
  • Mental Status Schedule / standards
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neurologic Examination / methods
  • Neurologic Examination / standards
  • Nursing Assessment / methods*
  • Nursing Assessment / standards*
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results