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Calcimator

Delirium Risk Assessment Calculator

CAM diagnostic algorithm with predisposing and precipitating risk factors for hospital delirium assessment.

Inputs

years

Results

CAM positive (0/1)

0

CAM severity (0-7)0
Predisposing risk score2
Precipitating risk score1
Combined risk score (0-100)14
Risk category (1-4)1
Est. LOS impact (days)1
Mortality risk multiplier1.1
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter baseline cognitive impairment status, dehydration risk, and severity of illness.
  2. Enter sleep deprivation, mobility impairment, vision impairment, and hearing impairment scores.
  3. Review the Delirium Risk Score and Risk Category (low, intermediate, or high).
  4. Check modifiable risk factors highlighted in the output to prioritize prevention interventions.
  5. Use the score to initiate the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) protocol for high-risk patients.

What each input means

Acute Onset/Fluctuation
CAM Feature 1: Acute change in mental status with a fluctuating course?
Inattention
CAM Feature 2: Difficulty focusing attention (easily distracted, trouble keeping track of conversation)?
Disorganized Thinking
CAM Feature 3: Thinking disorganized or incoherent (rambling, irrelevant conversation)?
Altered Consciousness
CAM Feature 4: Level of consciousness anything other than alert (vigilant, lethargic, stupor, coma)?
Patient age
Patient age. Risk increases significantly after 65, 70, and 80.
Prior Cognitive Impairment
History of dementia or cognitive impairment.
Prior Delirium History
Previous episode of delirium.
Vision/Hearing Impairment
Significant vision or hearing impairment.
Severe Acute Illness
High illness severity.
Total medications
Total number of medications. >= 6 is a significant risk factor.
Recent Surgery
Surgery within past 48 hours.
Physical Restraints
Currently physically restrained.
Bladder Catheter
Indwelling urinary catheter in place.
Active Infection
Current infection (UTI, pneumonia, etc.).

What each result means

CAM positive (0/1)
1 = Delirium present (meets CAM diagnostic criteria), 0 = Not met.
CAM severity (0-7)
Severity of delirium symptoms when present.
Predisposing risk score
Score from baseline risk factors (age, cognition, sensory, illness severity).
Precipitating risk score
Score from acute triggers (medications, surgery, restraints, infection).
Combined risk score (0-100)
Overall delirium risk combining predisposing and precipitating factors.
Risk category (1-4)
1 = Low, 2 = Moderate, 3 = High, 4 = Very high.
Est. LOS impact (days)
Estimated additional hospital length of stay from delirium risk.
Mortality risk multiplier
Estimated mortality risk multiplier compared to baseline (1.0 = no increase).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Acute Onset/Fluctuation = 0, Inattention = 0, Disorganized Thinking = 0, Altered Consciousness = 0 = 14 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate CAM positive
    CAM positive
    0 = 0
  3. Calculate CAM severity
    CAM severity
    0 = 0
  4. Calculate Predisposing risk score
    Predisposing risk score
    2 = 2

Engine last updated . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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