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Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Purpose : Provide initial and ongoing screening of patients for identification of signs and symptoms of delirium. Initiate interventions based on CAM screening and symptoms presented. When is CAM tool used?. All patients age 65 and older Q shift

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Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

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  1. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) Purpose: Provide initial and ongoing screening of patients for identification of signs and symptoms of delirium. Initiate interventions based on CAM screening and symptoms presented.

  2. When is CAM tool used? • All patients age 65 and older • Q shift • Any patient with onset of acute confusion.

  3. CAM Screening Components: CAM screens for the presence of four clinical features of delirium (does not identify severity) • Acute onset and Fluctuating Course • Inattention • Disorganized Thinking • Altered Level of Consciousness

  4. Acute Onset and Fluctuating Course Is there evidence of an acute change in mental status? • Worsening memory, language impairments, disorientation, perceptual disturbances – usually over hours to days? • May require information from family member, caretaker, or nurse who is familiar with patient’s baseline. Did the abnormal behavior come and go or increase or decrease in severity?

  5. Inattention Did patient have difficulty focusing attention, for example being easily distractible, or having difficulty keeping track of what was being said? • Symptoms of Inattention: • Must frequently repeat questions because attention wanders- not due to hearing loss. • Unable to gain pt attention or make prolonged eye contact. • Pt may look at you for a moment and stare off into space; does not respond to your questions.

  6. Disorganized Thinking Was the patient’s thinking disorganized or incoherent, such as rambling or irrelevant conversations, unclear or illogical flow of ideas, or unpredictable switching from subject to subject? Example: You ask patient if they are having any pain and the patient states that he needs to go to the mailbox to pick up his mail.

  7. Altered Level of Consciousness: • Alert (normal) • Vigilant (hyperalert) • Lethargic (drowsy, easily aroused) • Stupor (difficult to arouse) • Coma (unarousable)

  8. A positive screen for Delirium includes: Scoring: 1 + 2 + 3 plus either 4 and/or 5 1. Acute Onset plus 2. Fluctuating Course plus 3. Inattention plus Either 4. Disorganizing Thinking and/or 5. Altered Level of consciousness

  9. Interventions: • Interventions for patients who have delirium are very simple, basic, geriatric nursing practices. • May be used proactively for any patients who are at risk for becoming confused.

  10. CAM Interventions: Activity: -Chair for meals -Dangle legs -Ambulate 3x day -ROM 2X/Day -D/C tethers, -Avoid restraints -Tasks Sleep Enhancement -adhere to schedule -no wake at night -avoid day naps -reduce noise -avoid sedatives -Warm milk -no caffeine -relaxing music -message hand/foot -essentials oils

  11. CAM Interventions: Cognitive impairment/disorientation: • Keep day/night orientation (window shades open) • Clock/calendar in room • Reorient often to person/place/time • Therapeutic activities/communication • Facilitate visits from friends/family • Consistent staff members • Avoid transferring rooms/units

  12. CAM Interventions: Visual and Hearing: • Glasses worn or other visual aid • Hearing aid or pocket talker • Specialty phone

  13. Patient and Family Education Document Document Found InfoNet: Krames on Demand: Custom Documents • Delirium Patient and Family Education

  14. Questions, contact: • Nora McPherson, RN, GCNS-BC • Jill Tusing MS, RN-BC

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