Organ and tissue donation: a trustwide perspective or critical care concern?

Organ donation has become an accepted practice within the critical care setting; however, tissue donation is seldom considered within the ICU environment and even less in other hospital departments. This study describes the results from an early base line audit performed as the first stage in a larger action research project following the implementation of the Donor Liaison Scheme in an NHS trust. It was designed to assess the current level of knowledge, confidence and value system staff have, working in all areas of the hospital setting in relation to organ and tissue donation. The results from this audit highlight key areas for practice development across all areas of this NHS trust. Many healthcare professionals working within this trust are unaware that donation can be considered. The respondents identified a lack of knowledge and confidence to be able to identify and discuss the options of donation with a family, yet the majority believe strongly that a person's wishes should be respected after death. People who have signed on the NHS ODR anticipate that healthcare professionals will access the ODR and support their family in following through their wishes; therefore, all healthcare professionals should receive education on donation issues as an integral part of bereavement and end of life decision training. Education strategies that adopt an experiential approach should be developed in order to create confidence in healthcare professionals to offer choice in donation options