RecruitingInterventional

Enhancing care for delirium in palliative care units

This study, called DAMPen-Delirium II, is all about improving the care people receive for acute confusion, known as delirium, when they are in hospices or palliative care units. Delirium is very common at the end of life and can be upsetting for both patients and their families. While there are guidelines for managing delirium, putting them into practice can be tricky for hospices. We are testing a new approach in some hospices and comparing it to others that continue with their usual methods. The goal is to see if our new approach can reduce delirium, improve the quality of life for patients, and support their families. This research could help thousands of people every year.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Hull

Enrolment target

2,000

Start

01 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2028

Delirium

What is this study about?

When people are nearing the end of their lives, it's quite common for them to experience acute confusion, which doctors call delirium. This can mean they see or hear things that aren't there, act differently to their usual self, or find it hard to think clearly. Understandably, this can be very distressing for the patient, their loved ones, and the staff caring for them. It can also make it harder for the person to manage their daily life.

There are clear national guidelines on how to prevent, spot, check for, and manage delirium. However, it's often difficult for hospices to put these guidelines into action perfectly because delirium care is complicated and involves many different people, including family, friends, and various healthcare professionals. This study is testing a new way to help hospices overcome these challenges and follow the delirium guidelines more effectively. This new method has been tested on a smaller scale and showed promise in collecting useful information.

This important study will be a large, national trial across the UK. We want to see if our new approach actually improves delirium care and reduces delirium in hospices. If successful, this could significantly improve the quality of life for the many thousands of people who experience delirium each year while in a hospice. It also aims to improve the well-being of the more than one hundred thousand family members and friends who witness the difficult effects of delirium on their loved ones.

Key takeaways

Delirium (acute confusion) is common and distressing in hospices.
This study tests new ways to improve delirium care in UK hospices.
It aims to reduce delirium and improve well-being for patients and families.
Experienced patient and public advisors helped design the study.
Participation might involve sharing experiences in an interview.
Strict measures are in place to protect your personal information.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adult patients who are staying in a hospice or palliative care unit. To take part, patients need to be able to understand the study information and agree to participate themselves.

We are also interested in speaking with family members or friends who are caring for these patients. They too would need to understand the study and agree to be involved.

If a patient or their carer is experiencing confusion or doesn't have the clarity of mind to make a decision about taking part when we want to speak with them, then they wouldn't be able to participate in the interview part of the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult patient staying in a hospice or palliative care unit?
Do you feel able to understand information and agree to take part in an interview?
Are you a family member or friend caring for such a patient?
Are you able to understand information and agree to take part in an interview?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study has a few different parts. For one part, we'll be comparing how 10 hospices using our new approach for delirium care perform against 10 hospices that continue using their usual methods. You wouldn't directly be in this part as a participant; it's about how the hospice functions. However, if your hospice adopts our new approach, you might receive care influenced by the study's suggestions, which we hope leads to better outcomes.

Another part of the study involves speaking with patients and their carers. If you're a patient or carer and you agree, an interviewer might ask you about your experiences with delirium and the care you've received. These interviews can happen over the phone, online, or in person at the hospice. We'll make sure to find a quiet, comfortable space if it's in person. The interviews are 'semi-structured', meaning there are some prepared topics, but you'll have space to share your thoughts. If you feel tired or uncomfortable at any point, we can take breaks or stop the interview altogether. The main purpose is to learn from your experiences to improve care for others in the future. The total duration of interviews can vary but will be managed to your comfort.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in research can sometimes be helpful for patients, as it gives them a chance to share their experiences and help shape future care. If your hospice uses the new approach being tested, it's possible you might receive better care for delirium and potentially experience less confusion, but we can't be certain yet as the study is designed to find this out. For the interview part of the study, sharing your experiences might bring up challenging emotions. However, our interviewers are experienced in palliative care and will be very sensitive, allowing for breaks or stopping the interview if you wish. There's a very small risk regarding data privacy for the overall study, but strict steps are in place to keep your information safe and separate from your identity. Remember, you can decide to stop participating at any time.

Locations (20)

Alice House Hospice
Approximate
Hartlepool, England
Compton Care
Approximate
Wolverhampton, England
Dorset University Hospitals
City only
Christchurch, England
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Approximate
Stoke-on-trent, England
Eden Valley Hospice
Approximate
Carlisle, England
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Gateshead, England
Havens Hospices
Unverified
Southend-on-sea, England
Lindsey Lodge Hospice
Unverified
Scunthorpe, England
Marie Curie Hospice Cardiff and the Vale
Unverified
Penarth, Wales
Coventry Myton Hospice
Unverified
Coventry, England
North London Hospice
Unverified
London, England
Northumbria Palliative Care Unit
Unverified
North shields, England

Common questions

What is delirium?

Delirium is acute confusion. It means someone's mind becomes suddenly unclear, they might see or hear things that aren't there, or act out of character. It's often temporary and can be distressing.

What is a 'palliative care unit' or 'hospice'?

These are places that provide special care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than finding a cure. This study is happening in these types of settings.

Who is funding this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

How long will the study run?

The study started in October 2024 and is expected to finish in September 2028.

How can I find out more?

You can contact Mr. Grant Constable, the main contact for the study, at grant.constable@hyms.ac.uk.

How to find out more

Grant Constable

grant.constable@hyms.ac.uk +44 (0)1482463732 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.