SQiD: Single Question in Delirium
2010SQiD is an informant-based, single-question screen for a recent change in confusion. It is a case-finding prompt rather than a diagnostic assessment.
Classification
A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.
Tool and original sources
This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.
Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers
- Original paperSands MB, Dantoc BP, Hartshorn A, Ryan CJ, Lujic S. Single Question in Delirium (SQiD): testing its efficacy against psychiatrist interview, the Confusion Assessment Method and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale. Palliative medicine. 2010;24(6):561-5. doi: 10.1177/0269216310371556. PMID: 20837733.
This is the original published source for SQiD. It reported sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 71% against an independent DSM-IV clinical assessment.
- Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyHendry K, Quinn TJ, Evans J, Scortichini V, Miller H, Burns J, et al. Evaluation of delirium screening tools in geriatric medical inpatients: a diagnostic test accuracy study. Age and ageing. 2016;45(6):832-837. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afw130. PMID: 27503794.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated SQiD in geriatric medical assessment unit of an urban teaching hospital against a DSM-5 clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 61.3% in 141 patients with informant SQiD data within a 500-patient cohort.
- Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyLin HS, Eeles E, Pandy S, Pinsker D, Brasch C, Yerkovich S. Screening in delirium: A pilot study of two screening tools, the Simple Query for Easy Evaluation of Consciousness and Simple Question in Delirium. Australasian journal on ageing. 2015;34(4):259-64. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12216. PMID: 26059554.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated SQiD in general medical wards of a general hospital against a DSM-IV clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 51% in 100 general medical inpatients and their informants.
At a glance
- Purpose
- Episodic assessment
- Population
- Adult
- Setting
- Palliative care, General / acute hospital
- Time
- <1 min
- Items
- 1
- Score or threshold
- Informant 'more confused lately?'
Format: The instrument records 1 scored item or observation. This site classifies it under episodic assessment and informant tools. It is intended for adult use in Palliative care, General / acute hospital. The stated administration time is <1 min. The published result is recorded using Informant 'more confused lately?'.
- Strengths: Single question; leverages family knowledge
- Limitations: Very small original sample
Evidence
Reported sensitivity and specificity
Original/source study · 2010 — pmid:20837733
- Denominator
- Reported source unit: 19 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
- Reference standard
- Blinded psychiatrist DSM-IV interview
Original study, n=21; vs psychiatrist interview.
More evidence and citation details
- Full name
- Single Question in Delirium
- Also known as
- SQiD
- Evidence summary
- multi
- Diagnostic-accuracy studies
- 5
- Reference standard
- Psychiatrist interview
- Citation
- Sands MB, Dantoc BP, Hartshorn A, Ryan CJ, Lujic S Single Question in Delirium (SQiD): testing its efficacy against psychiatrist interview, the Confusion Assessment Method and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale Palliative medicine. 2010;24(6):561-5. PMID 20837733
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.