BCS: Bedside Confusion Scale
2000A 2-minute screen combining an observation of level of consciousness with a timed attention task, developed for the palliative-medicine population.
Classification
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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.
Original paper
- Original paperStillman MJ, Rybicki LA. The bedside confusion scale: development of a portable bedside test for confusion and its application to the palliative medicine population. Journal of palliative medicine. 2000;3(4):449-56. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2000.3.4.449. PMID: 15859697.
This is the original published source for BCS. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.
At a glance
- Purpose
- Episodic assessment
- Population
- Adult
- Setting
- Palliative care
- Time
- ~2 min
- Items
- 2
- Score or threshold
- BCS ≥1
Format: Usually presented as a very short two-part bedside record. It combines an observed level-of-consciousness rating with a timed attention task, followed by a small result and interpretation area.
Evidence
Reported sensitivity and specificity
Original/source study · 2000 — pmid:15859697
- Denominator
- Reported source unit: 31 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
- Reference standard
- Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), reported as the original study comparator
Vs CAM (n=31); small single-centre palliative sample.
More evidence and citation details
- Full name
- Bedside Confusion Scale
- Also known as
- BCS
- Evidence summary
- single
- Diagnostic-accuracy studies
- 1
- Reference standard
- Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), reported as the original study comparator
- Citation
- Stillman MJ, Rybicki LA The bedside confusion scale: development of a portable bedside test for confusion and its application to the palliative medicine population Journal of palliative medicine. 2000;3(4):449-56. PMID 15859697
Copyright and reuse
- Information checked
- 2026-07-19
Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.
Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.