Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility for clinical use of delirium assessment tools, the
Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) and the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS), for postoperative
neurosurgery patients. Methods: A sample of 100 elderly patients post neurosurgery was recruited from
a neurosurgery ward in a university hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. Nurses (n=28) on the neurosurgery
ward were asked to assess the participants using the Nu-DESC and the DOS. Based on the diagnosis of delirium
made by a neuropsychiatrist, validity of the tools was evaluated. A questionnaire about ease of use of the tool
was completed by the nurses. Results: As for the reliability of the tools, Cronbach's ? was .79, and .95 for the
Nu-DESC and the DOS, respectively. Both of the tools showed high levels of sensitivity and specificity. As for
ease of use in the clinical setting, the Nu-DESC (mean=39.2±4.82) had a higher (t=2.77, p=.01) score than the
DOS (mean=37.39±5.97). Conclusion: Findings of this study confirmed that both the Nu-DESC and the DOS were
highly reliable and valid tools to detect delirium in postoperative older neurosurgery patients, but the Nu-DESC
was easier to use.