Cognition is a Vital Sign

The BCAT® Approach is a cognitive ecosystem, validated by science, that integrates the BCAT® Test System primary and secondary cognitive tools, specific interventions, and cognitive programs.

• The BCAT® Research Center believes that Cognition is a Vital Sign.  Vital signs are measurements of the body’s basic function.  Cognition is at the center of everything we do and is essential for us to successfully perform everyday tasks.
• Routine administration of cognitive screening and assessment tools inform healthcare providers to the presence and/or severity of cognitive impairment and supports targeted care planning.
• Evidence-based test results inform practitioners on specific prescribed interventions.

What is the BCAT®  Approach?

The BCAT® Approach is a unique applied concept for assessing and working with people who have memory and other cognitive impairments.

• It is designed for any setting in which cognitive functioning and cognitive impairment is a central issue.
• The BCAT® Approach integrates three systems: The BCAT® Test System, the BCAT® Interventions, and the ENRICH® Brain Health Program.  
• All programs are person-centered and used by healthcare professionals, facilities, patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders.  
• All tests in the Primary Tools found in the BCAT® Test System have an online report feature that provides patient specific information that can be incorporated into the electronic health record.

The BCAT® Test System is used worldwide by a variety of professionals across multiple settings from acute care and throughout post-acute settings. It is used in healthcare by psychologists, nursing professionals, rehab professionals (PT, OT, ST), care managers, and social services, as well as in home-based programs and anywhere older adults are aging in place.  The BCAT® is unique in that it provides objective measures to determine cognitive abilities and the impact on function. All BCAT® programs have specific training modules to enhance learning and proficiency.

Using the Primary Tools

The BCAT® Test System is comprised of six unique assessment instruments.

• The Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool (BCAT®) is the primary, multifactorial, and foundational test. 
  • It can be administered in 15-20 minutes by professionals and techs, is sensitive to the full spectrum of cognitive functioning (normal, MCI, dementia).
  • Produces four separate factor scores: Contextual Memory, Complex Attention, Executive Functions and the Cognitive Task Manager Factor scores, and can predict basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL, IADL).
  • It can help predict discharge dispositions, identify those most likely to be readmitted to hospitals shortly after discharge, facilitate level of care determinations, aid in fall prevention programs, and help with non-pharmacological behavior management. 
  • The online test report provides a Patient/Family Handout page that summarizes the test results and provides a simple action plan.
• The BCAT®-Short Form (BCAT®-SF) is a cognitive screening tool used by inter-professional teams.
  • It is not as robust or comprehensive as the full BCAT®, it was designed as a shorter version of the full BCAT® and can be administered in three minutes or less.
  • It can differentiate between persons with and without dementia and has strong reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. 
  • Is used to identify who should receive broader BCAT® testing and BCAT® Interventions.
• The Brief Anxiety and Depression Scale (BADS®) is a brief screening tool for mood impairment developed for older adults.
  • It can be administered by a clinician, by proxy (knowledgeable informant), or self-administered for those who are cognitively capable.
  • It can be administered in less than three minutes and it's online interactive scoring program yields depression and an anxiety factor score. 
• The Kitchen Picture Test of Judgment (KPT®) is one of the two judgment instruments in our suite of tools that can be administered in 5-10 minutes and can differentiate between those who have dementia and those who do not.
  • Includes an illustration of a kitchen scene in which potentially dangerous situations are unfolding.
  • Patients are asked to describe the scene, to identify the problem situations, to rank the order of importance of each situation in terms of dangerousness, and to offer solutions.
  • It has been found to have construct validity (it measures the construct "judgment") and can be used to identify those who require supervision of IADL tasks.
• The Verbal Test of Practical Judgment (VPJ®) is the second judgment test that can be administered in 5-10 minutes and is designed to detect more nuanced and subtle judgment problems.  
  • It consists of 10 novel applied situations that require reasonable judgment.
  • It identifies judgment skill levels and specific IADL dependencies associated with levels of impaired judgment.  

• The Brief Cognitive Impairment Scale (BCIS®) was developed to track cognitive changes in patients with advanced dementia to provide information to better manage behavior problems.  It can be administered in 10-15 minutes.
  • This 11-item, 14-point scale is used when severe cognitive impairment has already been established, or when the patient scores under 25 on the BCAT®.

Using the Secondary Tools

• The Columbia Behavior Scale for Dementia (CBS-8®) was designed to improve management and treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).
  • It can be used by healthcare professionals, caregivers, and other stakeholders in dementia care.
  • Can be administered by caregivers and the results can be shared with the healthcare providers.
• The Brief Engagement and Attention Tool for Situational Awareness (VITAL BEAT®) is an instrument designed to measure situational awareness in persons with dementia.
  • Used to improve prediction of BPSD, resistance to care, and attentional skills for participating in life enrichment activities.

Next Steps

Is your organization looking for a standardized cognitive care delivery model rooted in science?  Allow our experts to consult with you to identify a customized care model that works for your organization.  Email us at info@thebcat.com to speak with our BCAT® Integration team today.

Our two test system licenses include access to all of the Primary and Secondary tests.  If you are interested in learning about the BCAT® licensing options, go here.