A practical guide for nurses
The first steps in delirium care.
ACE-T helps you turn delirium detection into timely, coordinated care — with clear nursing actions across three domains.
Complete, initiate or escalate the applicable ACE-T actions within four hours of a positive delirium screen.
Act immediately on urgent concerns. Actions can happen in parallel; the four-hour target is not a reason to wait.
From recognition to response
A starting point for what to do next.
Nurses are often the first to recognise delirium and carry out a delirium assessment such as the 4AT. ACE-T gives structure to the initial bedside response after a positive screen or recognition of suspected delirium.
It brings together checks for acute triggers, attention to the patient’s experience, and treatment and communication. It supports nursing care alongside medical assessment and the wider team’s work.
Make the plan visible
Document. Communicate. Discuss.
- Document the 4AT score and delirium.
- Communicate the delirium plan and relevant findings.
- Discuss actions with the team and inform family where appropriate.