Watcha: Watcha emergence delirium scale
1992A simple post-anaesthetic arousal and agitation rating used in children. It may identify hyperactive emergence behaviour but is not specific for delirium and overlaps with pain, fear and distress.
Classification
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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.
Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers
- Original sourceWatcha MF, Ramirez-Ruiz M, White PF, Jones MB, Lagueruela RG, Terkonda RP. Perioperative effects of oral ketorolac and acetaminophen in children undergoing bilateral myringotomy. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie. 1992;39(7):649-54. doi: 10.1007/BF03008224. PMID: 1394752.
This is the original published source for Watcha. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.
- Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyBajwa SA, Costi D, Cyna AM. A comparison of emergence delirium scales following general anesthesia in children. Paediatric anaesthesia. 2010;20(8):704-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2010.03328.x. PMID: 20497353.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated Watcha in post-anaesthesia care unit against independent subjective clinical assessment by an experienced paediatric anaesthetist. It reported sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 79.8% in 117 consecutive children younger than 18 years recovering from general anaesthesia.
At a glance
- Purpose
- Contextual, historical or service record
- Population
- Paediatric
- Setting
- Perioperative
- Time
- variable
- Score or threshold
- Watcha >2
Format: It is a paediatric instrument for paediatric use in Perioperative. The stated administration time is variable. The published result is recorded using Watcha >2.
Evidence
Reported sensitivity and specificity
Later validation or evaluation · 2010 — pmid:20497353
- Denominator
- Reported source unit: 117 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
- Reference standard
- Experienced paediatric anaesthetist's subjective assessment of emergence delirium
Earliest DTA evaluation identified in the current audit; see the linked source and methodological caveats.
More evidence and citation details
- Full name
- Watcha emergence delirium scale
- Also known as
- Watcha scale
- Evidence summary
- single-comparative-study
- Diagnostic-accuracy studies
- 1
- Reference standard
- Experienced paediatric anaesthetist's subjective assessment of emergence delirium
- Citation
- Watcha MF, Ramirez-Ruiz M, White PF, Jones MB, Lagueruela RG, Terkonda RP Perioperative effects of oral ketorolac and acetaminophen in children undergoing bilateral myringotomy Can J Anaesth. 1992;39(7):649-654. PMID 1394752
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.