Organ Donation

[NurseyPoo7]

As a primary nurse, have you ever brought up organ donation to pts families?

There was a pt on my unit today that passed away (expected). Had been taken off the ventilator a day or two before and slowly passed away early in the shift.

Later, a nursing supervisor came up and was asking questions about HIV, Hep C, CA, etc. She mentioned it was about organ donation. I don't know if maybe the family brought that up or if she was following protocol (it was the only pt death I have been on duty for where the pt wasn't almost 100 years old!).

Now, this was at 930 or so, pt passed shortly before 8 (pts family was still in the room mourning). I thought you had to be ALIVE or very recently deceased to donate?

[Ahhphoey]

I personally have never brought up organ donation to families, however have answered questions or referred them when they initiated the conversation. We have a sixty minute window to call Lifenet (the organi procurement agency in this area) to report the death, glasgow coma scale of 3 or less, or withdrawal of treatment. So, yes, we do often call after the death, especially if it was a code, but we still are required to call nonetheless and within 60 minutes of pronunciation.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Someone from our area's transplant services comes and does "the talk." It's mandatory for us to call them before we do a terminal wean, however.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

No matter when someone dies we have to call the local organ procurement agency in Mi it is Gift of Life. Sometimes there is donation after cardiac death. Other times from a brain dead patinet. Some things like corneas, bones, and skin can be doanted after death even from the elderly. We also have to call regardless if pt has Hep b/c, HIV, etc.

When it is determined that the patient is a candidate the organ donation agency will send a representative to speak with them.

We have to notify within 1 hour if GCS

If family brings up donation then we will call gift of life and a rep will come and speak with them.

To answer your opening question : No, I have never discussed organ donation with famlies.

[RN1982]

Agree with Nrsang. We are told to not talk to the family regarding donation. If we have a patient with a GCS of less than 4, our Gift of life coordinators are automatically notified via text pages. If we have a patient that we know will expire or has expired we notify gift of life. I have had one Gift of life patient that I took care of and let me tell you, those are the busiest patients.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Michigan,

I can't agree more that they end up being the busiest patient on the floor with all the lyte replacements, blood products, O2 challanges with the vent, q4h labs, etc.

However it is nice to get the letter telling you where those organs went and what was donated.

[RN1982]

Michigan,

I can't agree more that they end up being the busiest patient on the floor with all the lyte replacements, blood products, O2 challanges with the vent, q4h labs, etc.

However it is nice to get the letter telling you where those organs went and what was donated.

I got one of those letters

[Zookeeper3]

cornea tissue and bone can be donated after death. On the vent, I call as soon as the gcs

[semiller36545]

I don't get many chances in LTC , but especially now since I have a young relative on the waiting list, I really pray that nurses all over are bringing up these difficult topics. My family and many more like us thank you.

[RN1982]

I don't get many chances in LTC , but especially now since I have a young relative on the waiting list, I really pray that nurses all over are bringing up these difficult topics. My family and many more like us thank you.

Each hospital is different. I don't feel that it's my job to bring up organ donation. That is something the doctor needs to address. Like I have said, at my hospital, nurses are not suppose to "bring up" organ donation because we have qualified individuals who can answer the many questions regarding organ donations. Organ donation is very complex and only someone qualified in organ donation should be speaking with families. I wish the best for your relative.

[dolphinlover]

hello,My dad passed away last year.The organ placed called before It was even 30 min. after he died. I did say Yes.My question for ya is if I didnt get the letter saying what they used the organs for ;Does that mean they couldnt use his bones or tissue. They are really nice people.They sent me a christmas ornament with his name and a one year sympathy card.I was hopeing I could hear that he helped someone and liveing on.That would have been special to me to hear that. Thanks

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

hello,My dad passed away last year.The organ placed called before It was even 30 min. after he died. I did say Yes.My question for ya is if I didnt get the letter saying what they used the organs for ;Does that mean they couldnt use his bones or tissue. They are really nice people.They sent me a christmas ornament with his name and a one year sympathy card.I was hopeing I could hear that he helped someone and liveing on.That would have been special to me to hear that. Thanks

Would you know what organ procurment agency the hospital used? Maybe contact them. I don't know if they send letters to the famlies or not. I got this letter working taking care of the donor patient. After I took care of them Gift of Life sent me a letter at work telling me what organs were donated. Sorry to for the loss of your father.