The AWOL score for delirium is a tool used to estimate the likelihood of a hospitalized patient developing delirium. It considers four key factors:

- Age: Patients under 80 years of age score 0, while those 80 or older receive a score of 1.
- Ability to spell "world" backward: If the patient can spell it correctly, they score 0; if not, they score 1.
- Orientation to their environment: Patients who know the city, state, county, hospital name, and floor score 0, whereas those who do not score 1.
- Nursing illness severity assessment: This is a checklist where being "Not ill" or "Mildly ill" scores 0, and being "Moderately ill," "Severely ill," or "Moribund" scores 1.

To calculate the AWOL score, add up the scores from each input. The total AWOL score ranges from 0 to 4. The interpretation of this score is as follows:

| AWOL Score | Interpretation of Delirium Risk |
|------------|---------------------------------|
| 0          | 2% risk of delirium during hospitalization |
| 1          | 4% risk of delirium during hospitalization |
| 2          | 14% risk of delirium during hospitalization |
| 3          | 20% risk of delirium during hospitalization |
| 4          | 64% risk of delirium during hospitalization |

A lower score suggests a minimal risk of delirium, whereas a higher score indicates a greater likelihood of experiencing delirium during the hospital stay.

The AWOL Score for Delirium, also known as the AWOL Delirium Risk Score, is a clinical calculator used to assess the risk of delirium in hospitalized adults. The acronym AWOL stands for Age, inability to spell World backwards, Orientation to place, and iLlness severity. 

This scoring system is particularly useful in identifying patients who are at high risk of developing delirium during their hospital stay, allowing for early intervention and management strategies to be implemented. 

The AWOL Score for Delirium is not recommended for use in patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment or dementia, as these conditions can confound the assessment of delirium risk. Additionally, it may not be applicable in patients who are unable to communicate effectively due to language barriers or severe illness.