bCAM — Brief Confusion Assessment Method

2013

Rapid CAM adaptation for the emergency department, designed as a highly specific rule-in test (often paired with the Delirium Triage Screen).

Diagnostic assessment (episodic)Ultra-brief bedside screenMultiple validation studies

78–84%

Sensitivity*

96–97%

Specificity*

n=406

Sample

Full nameBrief Confusion Assessment Method

Also known asbCAM

PurposeDiagnostic assessment (episodic), Ultra-brief bedside screen

PopulationAdult

SettingEmergency department

Items4

Administration<2 min

EvidenceMultiple validation studies

Reference typeOriginal validation study

Reference standardDSM-IV-TR (psychiatrist)

Validation samplen = 406

Cut-off / scoringCAM features (rule-in)

Strengths＋ Fast, highly specific rule-in test for the ED

Limitations− Lower sensitivity than the paired DTS

Real-world useIn one large report, completion ranged from 12% in labour/delivery to 98% on medical services during phased implementation; setting and implementation stage both differed. (Penfold 2024)

ReferenceHan JH, Wilson A, Vasilevskis EE, et al. Diagnosing delirium in older emergency department patients: validity and reliability of the delirium triage screen and the brief confusion assessment method. Ann Emerg Med. 2013;62(5):457-465. PMID 23916018

Download RIS Download BibTeX DOI ↗ Original validation study ↗Official source ↗

Key studies

* Where shown, sensitivity/specificity are from the cited validation cohort and are not pooled estimates. Citation metadata was checked against PubMed or the publisher DOI record; a checked reference does not imply validation, study quality or endorsement. See the Methodology.