Help score postoperative delirium risk Diagnostic Pathway

In Recent Clinical News

Scanning Medical Journals

No new significant updates or guidelines matching this topic were found today. We will check again soon.

HELP Score: Predicts delirium risk before it happens. Score 1 point for every risk factor present at admission.

Assess 4 Risk Factors

1. Vision Impairment

Visual acuity < 20/70 (binocular) on Snellen chart.

2. Severe Illness

High severity of illness (e.g., APACHE II > 16).

3. Cognitive Impairment

MMSE score < 24 or known baseline dementia.

4. High BUN/Cr Ratio

BUN/Cr > 18 (indicative of dehydration or renal stress).

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Preoperative assessment for adults ≥ 70 years old undergoing major surgery.

Medical admissions for older adults to predict delirium risk during hospitalization.

Triage tool for enrollment into the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP).

Proactive vs Reactive

Unlike the CAM or 4AT which diagnose delirium *after* it has occurred, the HELP predictive model identifies patients at risk *before* the surgery, allowing for aggressive preventative measures.

Related Scores in Practice

In clinical practice, this assessment is frequently evaluated alongside other validated measures. Depending on the patient's presentation and specific diagnostic requirements, you may also need to utilize the CAM — Confusion Assessment Method or the Four At Delirium to formulate a comprehensive care plan.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

In Recent Clinical News

HELP Score (Postoperative Delirium Risk)

When to Use

When to Use

Proactive vs Reactive

Related Scores in Practice

Related Geriatrics Tools

In Recent Clinical News

HELP Score (Postoperative Delirium Risk)

When to Use

When to Use

Proactive vs Reactive

Related Scores in Practice

Related Geriatrics Tools