Tissue donation: what does it mean to families?

Previous research has described families' responses and experiences with the donation process; however, little attention has been paid to families linked to tissue banks that have no affiliation with hospitals or organ procurement agencies.

To assess the impact of approaches made to families who consented to tissue donation with the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, Australia, and to examine how this information could be used to improve the existing service.

An evaluation questionnaire was developed and consisted of 15 questions. The questionnaire was part of a structured follow-up service and was given only to 339 families who consented to donation.

Families who are approached about tissue donation are contacted within 24 hours of their family member's death. They are coping with the sudden unexpected death of a family member and have little knowledge of tissue donation or the donor tissue bank.

Fifty-eight percent of participants completed the questionnaire. The data were quantitatively and qualitatively examined.

The skills and procedures utilized by the transplant coordinators are affirmed by the results, and respondents appear to find contact with the donor tissue bank positive at a terrible time in their lives. Approaches to families must be made sensitively and sufficient information must be given to enable decision making.