Since the care team noted a change in Mr. Blejnar's attention, Jeremy completes the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). The CAM is a standardized and reliable tool that can be used to screen for delirium quickly and accurately. For a person to have a positive CAM, they must have both:
A rapid onset and/or fluctuating mental status, and
Difficulty focusing their attention,
AND either
Unclear thinking, or
A change in their level of consciousness (McCabe, 2019).
Mr. Blejnar's wife explains that he has had periods of confusion and inattention, but this is similar to his baseline. He currently does not have altered thinking or a significant change in his level of consciousness. Therefore, his CAM screening is negative.
If you would like to review how to use the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) [New tab PDF] to screen for delirium, visit the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. |