A Comparison of Three Scores to Screen for Delirium on the Surgical Ward

19% of patients developed delirium after elective surgery.

• Delirium was identified in 17 out of 88 patients based on DSM-IV criteria.
• The Delirium Detection Score (DDS) identified 45% of patients as positive for delirium.
• The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) detected delirium in 17% of patients.
• The Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) identified 32% of patients as having delirium.
• Sensitivity and specificity varied among the screening tools, with Nu-DESC being the most sensitive.
• Interrater reliability was highest for the CAM at 1.00, indicating consistent results among evaluators.

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