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CAM-IMC: Confusion Assessment Method for Intermediate Care Unit

2021

A CAM-family adaptation for non-intubated intermediate-care patients, developed in postoperative cardiac care and prospectively evaluated in 2024.

At a glance

Purpose
Episodic assessment
Population
Adult
Setting
Intermediate care, Perioperative
Time
brief; exact timing should follow the validated version
Score or threshold
CAM-IMC positive

Format: CAM-IMC adapts the CAM framework for non-intubated intermediate-care patients and incorporates orientation information. The exact feature definitions and decision procedure belong in the authorised source, not in this commentary.

Primary validation papers

2 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

Not yet reviewed.

A focused implementation review has not yet been completed for this profile.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

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Tool and original sources

No direct copy is linked here. The original paper and a Google Images search are available below. Image results may be unofficial; check the version and source before use.

Read the full paper ↗ Search Google Images ↗

Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

  • Original paperGuenther U, Wolke M, Hansen HC, Feldmann N, Diers A, Dewald O, et al. [Disorientation and delirium assessment : A secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study]. Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin. 2022;117(6):419-427. doi: 10.1007/s00063-021-00850-z. PMID: 34432084.

    This is the original published source for CAM-IMC. It reported sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 100% against independent clinical assessor.

    Open PubMed ↗Download article PDF ↓

    Article PDF: CC BY. This licence applies to the article PDF and does not grant rights to reproduce the tool.

  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyBeyer LP, Gathen LVZ, Rayah BE, Dewald O, Zieschang T, Diers A, et al. Disorientation as a delirium feature in non-intubated patients: development and evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of the 'Confusion Assessment Method for Intermediate Care Unit' (CAM-IMC) - a prospective cohort study. BMC anesthesiology. 2024;24(1):451. doi: 10.1186/s12871-024-02849-3. PMID: 39673057.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated CAM-IMC in postoperative intermediate-care setting for non-intubated patients against experienced reference-rater delirium diagnosis. It reported sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 94% in 155 elective cardiac-surgery patients; 624 paired observations.

    Open PubMed ↗Download article PDF ↓

    Article PDF: CC BY. This licence applies to the article PDF and does not grant rights to reproduce the tool.

Multiple DTA studies identifiedVersion or adaptation
Classification

Classification

Episodic assessmentMonitoring for new onset delirium

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

Headline metric source

Original/source study · 2022; pmid:34432084

Denominator
Reported source unit: 50 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
Reference standard
Independent clinical assessor
88%
Sensitivity
100%
Specificity

Earliest DTA evaluation identified in the current audit; see the linked source and methodological caveats.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Confusion Assessment Method for Intermediate Care Unit
Also known as
CAM-IMC, Confusion Assessment Method for Intermediate Care
Related profiles
CAM
Evidence summary
external-validation
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
2
Reference standard
Independent clinical assessor
Citation
Guenther U, Wolke M, Hansen HC, Feldmann N, Diers A, Dewald O, Ely EW, Weyland A [Disorientation and delirium assessment : A secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study] Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin. 2022;117(6):419-427. PMID 34432084
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

Open 2 identified papers
  1. Guenther U, Wolke M, Hansen HC, Feldmann N, Diers A, Dewald O, Ely EW, Weyland A (2022). [Disorientation and delirium assessment : A secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study]. Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin.

    Reference category: independent clinical reference.

  2. Beyer LP, Gathen LVZ, Rayah BE, Dewald O, Zieschang T, Diers A, Ely EW, Guenther U (2024). Disorientation as a delirium feature in non-intubated patients: development and evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of the 'Confusion Assessment Method for Intermediate Care Unit' (CAM-IMC) - a prospective cohort study. BMC anesthesiology.

    Reference category: independent clinical reference.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.