Hospital-acquired delirium is a sudden change in the way a person thinks, feels and understands the world around them — and it can happen to anyone during a hospital stay.
It can occur because of the cancer itself (for example, cancers that affect the brain), the body’s response to advanced disease, or complications like infection, dehydration or organ failure. It’s also frequently linked to cancer treatments and supportive care, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy to the brain, surgery, and medications such as opioids, steroids or anti-nausea drugs.
Often mistaken for confusion or dementia, delirium can come on quickly and fluctuate throughout the day, leaving patients distressed and families worried.
In this video, we explain what hospital-acquired delirium is, why it happens, who is most at risk, and what you can do to recognise it early and help prevent it.