delirium assessment tools

Delirium assessment tools are methods used by healthcare professionals to identify if someone is experiencing delirium, which is a sudden change in mental state causing confusion and altered awareness. These tools involve brief questionnaires or checklists that evaluate a person's attention, thinking, consciousness, and awareness of their surroundings. They help ensure quick recognition and appropriate treatment of delirium, especially in hospital or care settings. Examples include the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and the CAM-ICU, which are structured and easy to perform, enabling healthcare providers to detect delirium early and improve patient outcomes.