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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) is a clinician-rated delirium instrument scoring 10 symptom domains from 0 to 3 each (total 0-30). It is used for both delirium screening support and longitudinal severity tracking in medical, oncology, and palliative settings.
Formula: MDAS total = sum of 10 symptom-domain scores (0-3 each), total range 0-30.
MDAS is a widely studied delirium severity instrument with validation in medical and oncology populations.
Higher MDAS scores indicate greater delirium symptom burden and support closer diagnostic and management review.
Use when clinicians need a structured delirium-severity metric for baseline and follow-up monitoring.
Cutoffs vary across populations; sedation, severe dementia, and communication barriers can affect scoring.
For related assessments, see Nu-DESC, CAM Delirium Screen and CAM-ICU.
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.
A brief 5-item nursing delirium screen (0-10) commonly using >=2 as a positive threshold.
GeriatricsScreen 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).
GeriatricsRapid delirium screening tool scored 0-12; scores of 4 or more suggest possible delirium.