3D-CAM-S: 3D-CAM Severity Score

2016

A 0-7 severity method derived from information collected during 3D-CAM. It adds longitudinal severity measurement without creating a second patient interview.

Classification

Measurement of delirium severity

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Tool and original sources

This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.

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Original paper

Principal sourceVasunilashorn SM, Guess J, Ngo L, Fick D, Jones RN, Schmitt EM, et al. Derivation and Validation of a Severity Scoring Method for the 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method--Defined Delirium. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2016;64(8):1684-9. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14234. PMID: 27374833.
This paper reports the derivation and initial validation of 3D-CAM-S itself. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.
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No eligible DTA study identifiedVersion or adaptation

At a glance

Purpose: Measurement of delirium severity
Population: Adult
Setting: General / acute hospital, Perioperative
Time: derived during the approximately 3-minute parent assessment
Score or threshold: 0-7 severity range; not a diagnostic threshold

Format: 3D-CAM-S converts findings already collected during 3D-CAM into a 0-7 severity value. The protected feature-scoring procedure is not reproduced here; use the publication and authorised 3D-CAM materials.

Evidence

Evidence maturityNo eligible DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

not applicable

Sensitivity

not applicable

Specificity

Agreement with CAM-S short form was high in derivation and held-out validation data.

More evidence and citation details

Full name: 3D-CAM Severity Score
Related profiles: 3D-CAM, CAM-S, Raw 3D-CAM severity score
Evidence summary: derivation-and-internal-validation
Citation: Vasunilashorn SM, Guess J, Ngo L, Fick D, Jones RN, Schmitt EM, Kosar CM, Saczynski JS, Travison TG, Inouye SK, Marcantonio ER Derivation and Validation of a Severity Scoring Method for the 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method-Defined Delirium Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2016;64(8):1684-1689. PMID 27374833

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Version: 3D-CAM-S severity scoring method reported in 2016
Rights holder: Underlying 3D-CAM/CAM materials: Hospital Elder Life Program / Aging Brain Center; the exact 3D-CAM-S rights holder was not independently verified
Information checked: 2026-07-19

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Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.