Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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Comparative Study
Assessing attentiveness in older hospital patients: global assessment versus tests of attention.
Impairment of attentiveness is a cardinal symptom of delirium. We examined the relationship between bedside tests of attention and a global rating of attentiveness in older hospital patients and sought to identify cut-off points on the tests of attention that might be helpful in the diagnosis of delirium. ⋯ Simple bedside tests of attention can aid identification of delirium.