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UB-CAM: Ultra-Brief Confusion Assessment Method

2020

UB-CAM is an app-directed, two-stage delirium-identification workflow. It moves from an ultra-brief first step to a more specific CAM-based assessment when needed.

Classification

Classification

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Tool and original sources

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Original paper

  • Original paperMarcantonio ER, Fick DM, Jung Y, Inouye SK, Boltz M, Leslie DL, et al. Comparative Implementation of a Brief App-Directed Protocol for Delirium Identification by Hospitalists, Nurses, and Nursing Assistants : A Cohort Study. Annals of internal medicine. 2022;175(1):65-73. doi: 10.7326/M21-1687. PMID: 34748377.

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

One DTA study identifiedAssessment workflow

At a glance

Purpose
Episodic assessment
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital
Time
<2 min
Items
6
Score or threshold
A two-stage app-directed classification; see the authorised workflow.

Format: An app-directed, two-stage CAM-family workflow recording six elements and usually completed in under two minutes. The component tasks, branching logic and diagnostic rule are not reproduced here.

  • Strengths: App-directed; nurses/assistants perform as well as physicians
  • Limitations: Two-step; moderate sensitivity for mild delirium

Evidence

Evidence maturityOne DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

63–65%
Sensitivity
91–93%
Specificity

Two-step protocol vs research reference standard, n=527.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Ultra-Brief Confusion Assessment Method
Also known as
UB-CAM, Ultra-Brief CAM, app-directed CAM
Related profiles
3D-CAM, UB-2
Evidence summary
single
Diagnostic-accuracy studies
1
Reference standard
Research reference standard
Citation
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 Comparative Implementation of a Brief App-Directed Protocol for Delirium Identification by Hospitalists, Nurses, and Nursing Assistants : A Cohort Study Annals of internal medicine. 2022;175(1):65-73. PMID 34748377
Copyright and reuse
Version
Version 2 available from the official page when checked
Rights holder
Hospital Elder Life Program (CAM copyright); Aging Brain Center (permissions administrator); component notices require rights review
Licence
MIXED-RIGHTS-REVIEW-REQUIRED
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.