Optimizing Organ Donation Outcomes in the ICU: An Evidence-Based Practice Quality Improvement Initiative

Despite scientific advancements, demand for life-saving organs continues to outpace supply. Together, hospitals and organ procurement organizations facilitate deceased organ donations; however, a lack of structured inpatient processes and quality improvement mechanisms for potential donor management can lead to delayed referrals by organ procurement organizations, physiological instability, and suboptimal donation outcomes. Goal-directed strategies applied during the inpatient and preprocurement phases of care can significantly increase the number and quality of organs recovered. The aim of this nurse-driven, evidence-based practice quality improvement project was to optimize clinical management and implement accountability measures for adults in the intensive care unit with catastrophic brain injury who are potential organ donors. Within 6 months, the multidimensional change initiative yielded clinically significant improvements across nearly all quality indicators, demonstrating that hospitals can simultaneously support clinical recovery, preserve a legacy for the deceased, and extend hope for renewed life through proactive potential donor care.