DTS — Delirium Triage Screen

2013

Ultra-brief rule-out screen (altered level of consciousness plus spell-'LUNCH'-backwards) for the ED; designed to be highly sensitive and paired with the bCAM.

Ultra-brief bedside screenSingle validation study

98%

Sensitivity*

~55%

Specificity*

n=406

Sample

Full nameDelirium Triage Screen

PurposeUltra-brief bedside screen

PopulationAdult

SettingEmergency department

Items2

Administration<20 sec

EvidenceSingle validation study

Reference typeOriginal validation study

Reference standardDSM-IV-TR (psychiatrist)

Validation samplen = 406

Cut-off / scoringAltered LOC or ≥2 errors on 'LUNCH' backwards

Strengths＋ Ultra-brief, highly sensitive rule-out step

Limitations− Low specificity by design; pair with bCAM

ReferenceHan JH, Wilson A, Vasilevskis EE, et al. Diagnosing delirium in older emergency department patients: validity and reliability of the delirium triage screen and the brief confusion assessment method. Ann Emerg Med. 2013;62(5):457-465. PMID 23916018

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

* 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.