Validation of the 4AT, a new instrument for rapid delirium screening: a study in 234 hospitalised older people.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

to evaluate the performance of the 4 'A's Test (4AT) in screening for delirium in older patients. The 4AT is a new test for rapid screening of delirium in routine clinical practice.

Design

: prospective study of consecutively admitted elderly patients with independent 4AT and reference standard assessments.

Setting

: an acute geriatrics ward and a department of rehabilitation.

Participants

two hundred and thirty-six patients (aged ≥70 years) consecutively admitted over a period of 4 months.

Measurements

in each centre, the 4AT was administered by a geriatrician to eligible patients within 24 h of admission. Reference standard delirium diagnosis (DSM-IV-TR criteria) was obtained within 30 min by a different geriatrician who was blind to the 4AT

SUBMITTER: Bellelli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4066613 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature