An exploration of intensive care unit patents’ experiences of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) as a screening tool for cognitive functioning at different points in recovery from critical illness

Being critically ill can result in cognitive change. Cognitive functioning should be screened at different points in the care pathway, and it is important to understand patient's experience of this process. A service evaluation examined fifteen in-patients' and eleven outpatients' experiences of completing the Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) willingness & acceptability (2) strengths and weaknesses (3) factors affecting performance and (4) improving delivery. Generally, patients accepted the ACE-III and valued cognitive screening. Consideration is given to areas for development.