Improved detection of delirium, implementation and validation of the CAM-ICU in elderly Emergency Department patients

Evelien K. Van de Meeberg*, Suzanne Festen, Marieke Kwant, Rita R. Georg, Gerbrand J. Izaks, Jan C. ter Maaten

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of routine use of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) on the diagnosis rate of delirium in elderly Emergency Department (ED) patients and the validity of the CAM-ICU in the ED setting.

Methods This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary care academic ED. We compared the diagnosis rate of delirium before implementation of the CAM-ICU, without routine use of a screening tool, with the diagnosis rate after implementation of the CAM-ICU. All consecutive patients aged 70 years or older were enrolled. The diagnosis rate before implementation was based on chart review and after implementation on a positive CAM-ICU score. In a subsample, the presence of delirium was evaluated independently according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria to assess the validity of the CAM-ICU.

Results The total study population included 968 patients: 490 before and 478 after implementation of the CAM-ICU. The two groups were not significantly different in patient characteristics. Before implementation of the CAM-ICU, delirium was diagnosed in 14 patients (3%) and after implementation in 48 patients (10%) (P

Conclusion The diagnosis rate of delirium after implementation of the CAM-ICU was three-fold higher than before. The CAM-ICU is a reliable screening tool in the ED, with high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. Copyright (c) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)411-416
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec-2017

Keywords

  • CAM-ICU
  • delirium
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Emergency Department
  • validation
  • CONFUSION ASSESSMENT METHOD
  • INTENSIVE-CARE-UNIT
  • MENTAL STATUS
  • MORTALITY
  • PREVALENCE
  • STAY
  • RISK
  • TOOL

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