DEMS: Delirium Early Monitoring System

2016

A nurse-led early monitoring system implemented through two pathways, DEMS-CAM and DEMS-DOSS, rather than a single undifferentiated questionnaire.

At a glance

Purpose: Episodic assessment
Population: Adult
Time: varies by DEMS-CAM and DEMS-DOSS pathway
Score or threshold: DEMS-DOSS positive

Format: DEMS is a clinical monitoring system with CAM-based and DOSS-based versions. Its structure and timing depend on the selected pathway, so a single item count or administration time would be misleading.

Training and 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.

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Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

Original paperRippon D, Milisen K, Detroyer E, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Harrison B, Schuurmans M, et al. Evaluation of the delirium early monitoring system (DEMS). International psychogeriatrics. 2016;28(11):1879-1887. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216000983. PMID: 27443322.
This is the original published source for DEMS. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.
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Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyMontgomery A, Todd JA, Jones C, Koroitamana J, Grealish L, Wand A, et al. The DEMS-DOSS study: validating a delirium monitoring tool in hospitalised older adults. Age and ageing. 2022;51(2). doi: 10.1093/ageing/afac012. PMID: 35192683.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DEMS in 60-bed metropolitan-hospital aged-care precinct against a DSM-IV clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 76.3% and specificity of 75.8% in 100 analysed participants aged 65 years or older.
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Article PDF: CC BY. This licence applies to the article PDF and does not grant rights to reproduce the tool.

One DTA study identifiedAssessment workflow

Classification

Episodic assessment Monitoring 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 evidenceOne DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

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Sensitivity

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Specificity

Pilot of a nurse-completed monitoring system (DEMS-CAM / DEMS-DOSS); completion 79% / 68% on a psychogeriatric ward.

More evidence and citation details

Full name: Delirium Early Monitoring System
Also known as: DEMS
Related profiles: CAM, DOSS
Evidence summary: external-validation
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations: 1
Reference standard: Blinded nurse DSM-IV assessment
Citation: Rippon D, Milisen K, Detroyer E, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Harrison B, Schuurmans M, Pryor C, Teodorczuk A Evaluation of the delirium early monitoring system (DEMS) International psychogeriatrics. 2016;28(11):1879-1887. PMID 27443322

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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 1 identified paper

Montgomery A, Todd JA, Jones C, Koroitamana J, Grealish L, Wand A, Billett S, Teodorczuk A (2022). The DEMS-DOSS study: validating a delirium monitoring tool in hospitalised older adults. Age and ageing.
Reference category: independent clinical reference.

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.

DEMS: Delirium Early Monitoring System

At a glance

Primary validation papers

Large-scale clinical implementation