4AT – 2 minute delirium detection validated in 30+ studies
Evidence-based bedside tool for rapid delirium screening across acute, community, and peri-operative settings.
~2 min administration time
No training required: designed for immediate use by nurses, doctors, and AHPs
Extensive evidence: 31 diagnostic‑accuracy studies (>6000 pts)
High sensitivity & specificity
Globally adopted: translated into >20 languages & included in national guidelines
Completely free: instant access, no registration required
Free EHR integration: ready for systems like EPIC with no licensing required
New evidence on 4AT scores and dementia (Age & Ageing 2025)
In a study of 75,221 hospital admissions, any 4AT score ≥1 identified 87 % of patients with clinically diagnosed dementia.
The 4AT - already globally used for delirium screening - could help identify undiagnosed dementia alongside other indicators such as functional decline.
This matters because it shows that the 4AT, which has two built-in cognitive test items, can be used both as a cognitive screening test and a delirium assessment test. This is efficient and saves time in busy clinical environments.
Paper: Using scores from the 4AT delirium detection tool as an indicator of possible dementia: a study of 75 221 older adult hospital admissions
