AWOL Score for Delirium Calculator
The AWOL score estimates the risk of delirium during hospitalization using Age, ability to spell WORLD backward, Orientation, and nursing iLlness severity.
This tool is for clinical education and decision support only. It does not diagnose delirium
and should not replace clinical judgment, local policy, or a validated bedside delirium assessment.
Scoring guide
- Age ≥80 years: +1
- Unable to correctly spell “WORLD” backward: +1
- Not fully oriented to place: +1
- Nursing illness severity of moderate, severe, or moribund: +1
Total score: 0 to 4 points.
References
- Douglas VC, Hessler CS, Dhaliwal G, et al. The AWOL Tool: Derivation and Validation of a Delirium Prediction Rule. Journal of Hospital Medicine. 2013;8(9):493-499.
- Brown EG, Josephson SA, Anderson N, Reid M, Lee M, Douglas VC. Predicting inpatient delirium: The AWOL delirium risk-stratification score in clinical practice. Geriatric Nursing. 2017;38(6):567-572.
- MDCalc. AWOL Score for Delirium.
