Being the OR Nurse for Organ Procurement

[BrooklynATX]

I am going to be the main circulator for an organ procurement tonight at 10 and I have NO CLUE what my role is. Needless to say, I am quite nervous and am looking for anything to help prepare myself for this experience. I would like to gain some knowledge on the procedure itself, as well as preparing the body for the family, and helping the family to get through this difficult time. Thanks in advance for any helpful information, experiences, or websites.

[PetiteOpRN]

It is just like circulating any other case, just without anesthesia.

Clarify with your charge nurse about the time of death and whether or not you need to fill out death paperwork and how to do so if it is your first time.

Do not put anything in the eyes or tape them.

The transplant team has people who are specially trained to talk to families. Treat them like any other patient family: be gracious and courteous and do your best to answer questions. Find out ahead of time where to direct questions to (ie the transplant team).

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to OR Nursing Forum.

[daVinciNurse]

Any procurement I've ever been involved in has been relatively like any other case--still count, prep, document etc as you always would. At some point anesthesia will leave, once all organs have been procured. Clarify with your supervisor about the death certificate specifics. And I've ALWAYS had the nurses/staff from the organization who coordinate everything in the OR with me, and they are MOST HELPFUL. They usually handle care of any organs removed and should help with the preparing of the patient for transfer out of the OR. These nurses are amazing, especially with the family. Ask them any questions, they generally are very willing to explain anything.

[Argo]

You will have Anesthesia through most if the case. He will.leave @ some point. There will be 3- 4surgeons @ varying times come through the room. There will be a couple of techs with them and a transplant coordinator. Make sure you have a minimum of 2 real good slush machines up and running. They need lots of slush. When the primary transplant team is gone you will have tissue bankers show up for viable tissues and bones. After they are all done you will be left with the body usually in a body bag. Our teams in south texas always did all the paper work for us.