Table 1.

Confusion assessment method questions and source of information

Question	Source of information
1. Acute onset and fluctuating course	Ward staff or relative/carer who knows the patient’s baseline mental status and has observed the patient over time
	Medical/nursing notes, including the baseline Abbreviated Mental Test Score
2. Inattention	Informal general conversation
	Formal cognitive testing: Abbreviated Mental Test Score [46], months of the year backwards test [47]
3. Disorganised thinking	Informal general conversation
	Formal cognitive testing: Abbreviated Mental Test Score [46], months of the year backwards test [47]
4. Altered level of consciousness	Ward staff
	Informal general conversation
	Observation

Confusion Assessment Method. © 1988, 2003, Hospital Elder Life Program. Used with permission