title: Fast, systematic, and continuous delirium assessment in hospitalized patients: the nursing delirium screening scale.
abstract: Because no rigorously validated, simple yet accurate continuous delirium assessment instrument exists, we developed the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC). The Nu-DESC is an observational five-item scale that can be completed quickly. To test the validity of the Nu-DESC, 146 consecutive hospitalized patients from a prospective cohort study were continuously assessed for delirium symptoms by bedside nurses using the Nu-DESC. Psychometric properties of Nu-DESC screening were established using 59 blinded Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) ratings made by research nurses and psychiatrists. DSM-IV criteria and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) were rated along with CAM assessments. Analysis of these data showed that the Nu-DESC is psychometrically valid and has a sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 86.8%, respectively. These values are comparable to those of the MDAS, a longer instrument. Nu-DESC and DSM-IV sensitivities were similar. The Nu-DESC appears to be well-suited for widespread clinical use in busy oncology inpatient settings and shows promise as a research instrument.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie, Department of Psychiatry, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gaudreau
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Marc-André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003693:Delirium / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method