Table 1.
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