Non-heart-beating organ donation: Issues and ethics for the critical care nurse

Non-heart-beating organ donation is an important topic that continues to be misunderstood by many health care professionals. As organ transplantation has become an accepted mode of treatment for end-stage organ failure, the need for organs has increased. Non-heart-beating organ donation provides an option for families wishing to donate when their loved one does not meet brain death criteria. The author will review the history of organ donation, focusing on the process of non-heart-beating organ donation. A patient case study is presented to facilitate understanding of the critical care nursing role essential to the success of this process that can provide a positive outcome for families involved in very tragic situations.