The Confusion Rating can be used to quickly and simply assess patients for cognitive impairment. Trends over time may indicate improvement, stability or deterioration in response to changes in clinical status or to therapeutic interventions.
Parameter
Finding
Points
memory
complete
0
occasionally forgetful
1
short-term loss
2
short and long term loss
3
orientation
complete
0
oriented in ward, identifies people correctly
1
misidentifies but can find way about
2
cannot find way to bed or toilet without assistance
3
completely loss
4
communication
always clear, retains information
0
can indicate needs, understands simple verbal directions, can deal with simple information
1
cannot understand simple verbal information, OR cannot indicate needs
2
cannot understand verbal information, AND cannot indicate needs; retains some expressive ability
3
no effective contact
4
Interpretation:
• minimum score 0
• maximum score 11
• Higher scores indicate greater confusion.
• Demented patients had higher scores than other patients (typically 6 or greater); a score >= 4 correctly classified 91% of demented patients.
• Normal elderly patients and elderly patients with psychiatric illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia had similar scores; a score <= 3 correctly classified nondemented patients.
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