CAM-ICU — Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU

2001

Adaptation of the CAM for mechanically ventilated and non-verbal critically ill patients, using standardised non-verbal tasks.

Intensive careDiagnostic assessment (episodic)Pooled diagnostic-accuracy evidence

93–100%

Sensitivity*

98–100%

Specificity*

n=96

Sample

Full nameConfusion Assessment Method for the ICU

PurposeIntensive care, Diagnostic assessment (episodic)

PopulationAdult

SettingIntensive care

Items4

Administration~2 min

EvidencePooled diagnostic-accuracy evidence

Reference typeOriginal validation study

Reference standardDSM-IV (delirium experts)

Validation samplen = 96

Cut-off / scoringFeature-based (RASS ≥ −3 required)

ReliabilityInter-rater κ 0.96

Strengths＋ Validated for ventilated, non-verbal patients; fast

Limitations− Lower sensitivity in routine (vs research) use

ReferenceEly EW, Inouye SK, Bernard GR, et al. Delirium in mechanically ventilated patients: validity and reliability of the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). JAMA. 2001;286(21):2703-10. PMID 11730446

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

Key studies

ICU tools meta-analysis (Gusmão-Flores 2012)

* 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.