Loading...
Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The 4AT is a brief bedside delirium screening instrument assessing alertness, cognition (AMT4), attention, and acute/fluctuating change. It is designed for rapid use in routine care without special training, with score range 0-12.
Formula: 4AT total = alertness + AMT4 + attention + acute change/fluctuation (range 0-12).
The 4AT has broad validation across hospital populations and uses a prespecified >=4 threshold for possible delirium.
Higher 4AT totals indicate greater delirium probability and support urgent diagnostic and cause-focused workup.
Use in older adults and acutely unwell patients when rapid delirium triage is needed in emergency, ward, or perioperative settings.
Screening performance can be affected by severe sensory deficits, language barriers, and very severe baseline dementia.
For related assessments, see CAM Delirium Screen, CAM-ICU and AD8 Screen.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Screen for delirium using the CAM (Confusion Assessment Method). Gold standard with ~94% sensitivity and ~89% specificity. Requires acute onset + inattention, plus disorganized thinking or altered consciousness.
EmergencyScreen ICU patients for delirium using the CAM-ICU algorithm (acute/fluctuating change, inattention, consciousness, disorganized thinking).
GeriatricsScreen for cognitive impairment using the 8-item AD8 informant interview (score 0-8).
GeriatricsClassify dementia severity with the Clinical Dementia Rating global stage (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3).