The human connection: the role of the nurse in organ donation

Organ transplantation has greatly improved the grim outlook of patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. Unfortunately, many of these waiting patients will not realize their dream of being transplanted since the number of organ donors referred to transplant programs simply does not meet the need. This article describes the role the nurse can play in organ donation by discussing medical criteria needed to assess the donor, the determination of neurologic death, and guidelines to approaching families for consent.