Diagnosing delirium

SQuID: a simple test for delirium

Could your patient be more confused, agitated or drowsy than usual?

If yes: delirium is likely

4AT: a more specific test for delirium

  1. Alertness

    • Wake your patient and ask them their name and address. Are they

      1. Normal (0)

      2. Mildly sleepy (<10 seconds)(0)

      3. Clearly abnormal (4)

  2. AMT-4

    • Ask your patient their Age, DOB, current place, current year

      1. No mistakes (0)

      2. 1 mistake (1)

      3. 2 or more mistakes/untestable (2)

  3. Attention

    • "Tell me the months of the year, backwards, starting with December

      1. 7 or more correct (0)

      2. Starts but cannot do 7 (1)

      3. Untestable (eg too drowsy)(2)

  4. Acute or fluctuating course?

      1. No (0)

      2. Yes (4)

4 or more suggests delirium