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UB-2: Ultra-Brief 2-item Screener

2015

UB-2 is a two-domain, ultra-brief first-step screen derived during work on the 3D-CAM. A positive result requires a more specific follow-up assessment.

At a glance

Purpose
Episodic assessment
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital
Time
<1 min
Items
2
Score or threshold
Any error on 'months backwards' or day of week

Format: The instrument records 2 scored items or observations. This site classifies it under episodic assessment and ultra-brief bedside tools. It is intended for adult use in General / acute hospital. The stated administration time is <1 min. The published result is recorded using Any error on 'months backwards' or day of week.

  • Strengths: First-step ultra-brief screen; high sensitivity
  • Limitations: Low specificity; needs a confirmatory step

Primary validation papers

3 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

This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.

Official information and permissions ↗

Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

  • Original paperFick DM, Inouye SK, Guess J, Ngo LH, Jones RN, Saczynski JS, et al. Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium. Journal of hospital medicine. 2015;10(10):645-50. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2418. PMID: 26369992.

    This is the original published source for UB-2. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.

    Open PubMed ↗
  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyFochi MML, Suetugo IM, Villar VB, Araújo Filho GM. Clinical performance of an ultra-brief delirium screening tool in hospitalized older adults. BMC geriatrics. 2026;26(1). doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07711-4. PMID: 42265599.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated UB-2 in real-world public-hospital setting in a middle-income country against CAM assessment by a second blinded evaluator. It reported sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 87.9% in 97 hospitalised adults aged 65 years or older.

    Open PubMed ↗
Multiple DTA studies identifiedCore instrument family
Classification

Classification

Episodic assessmentUltra-brief bedside tools

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

93%
Sensitivity
64%
Specificity

Two-item version, n=201.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Ultra-Brief 2-item Screener
Also known as
UB-2, months backwards
Related profiles
Postoperative 3-item combination, UB-CAM
Evidence summary
multi
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
3
Reference standard
DSM-IV (expert)
Reliability
;
Citation
Fick DM, Inouye SK, Guess J, Ngo LH, Jones RN, Saczynski JS, Marcantonio ER Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium Journal of hospital medicine. 2015;10(10):645-50. PMID 26369992
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 3 identified papers
  1. Fick DM, Inouye SK, Guess J, Ngo LH, Jones RN, Saczynski JS, Marcantonio ER (2015). Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium. Journal of hospital medicine.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  2. Marcantonio ER, Fick DM, Jung Y, Inouye SK, Boltz M, Leslie DL, Husser EK, Shrestha P, Moore A, Sulmonte K, Siuta J, Boustani M, Ngo LH (2022). Comparative Implementation of a Brief App-Directed Protocol for Delirium Identification by Hospitalists, Nurses, and Nursing Assistants : A Cohort Study. Annals of internal medicine.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  3. Fochi MML, Suetugo IM, Villar VB, Araújo Filho GM (2026). Clinical performance of an ultra-brief delirium screening tool in hospitalized older adults. BMC geriatrics.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

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.