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DEL-S: Delirium Severity Score

2022

An outcome-linked delirium-severity measure with a six-item short form and a 17-item long form. It was developed psychometrically for grading severity, not for establishing diagnosis.

Classification

Classification

Measurement of delirium severity

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Tool and original sources

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Original paper

  • Original paperVasunilashorn SM, Fong TG, Helfand BKI, Hshieh TT, Marcantonio ER, Metzger ED, et al. Psychometric Properties of a Delirium Severity Score for Older Adults and Association With Hospital and Posthospital Outcomes. JAMA network open. 2022;5(3):e226129. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6129. PMID: 35357447.

    This is the original published source for DEL-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 identifiedCore instrument family

At a glance

Purpose
Measurement of delirium severity
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital
Time
varies by 6-item short and 17-item long form
Score or threshold
Short 0–13; long 0–21

Format: DEL-S has two forms rather than one fixed item count: six items in the short form and 17 in the long form. Published ranges are 0-13 and 0-21 respectively, with higher values representing greater severity.

  • Strengths: Fine-grained, outcome-linked severity
  • Limitations: Newer; less external replication

Evidence

Evidence maturityNo eligible DTA study identified

Reported metric context

Severity score; exposure–response with length of stay, cost and 1-year mortality (n=352).

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Delirium Severity Score
Also known as
DEL-S
Evidence summary
psychometric-validation
Reference standard
Research delirium assessment
Reliability
Advanced psychometric (item-response) development
Citation
Vasunilashorn SM, Fong TG, Helfand BKI, Hshieh TT, Marcantonio ER, Metzger ED, Schmitt EM, Tabloski PA, Travison TG, Gou Y, Jones RN, Inouye SK, BASIL Study Team Psychometric Properties of a Delirium Severity Score for Older Adults and Association With Hospital and Posthospital Outcomes JAMA network open. 2022;5(3):e226129. PMID 35357447
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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.