The role of specialist nurses for organ donation: A solution for maximising organ donation rates?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the role that Donor Transplant Co-ordinators have played and the future potential of Specialist Nurses for Organ Donation (SN-ODs), within organ donation strategies in the UK and other countries. BACKGROUND: Organ donation and transplantation rates vary extensively around the world. However, there is a universal shortage of deceased donors, prompting different approaches to increase transplantation rates. Within the UK, the Clinical Lead for Organ Donation and Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation undertake a key role in the implementation of the Organ Donation Strategy. The Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2015 is a recent development which facilities a deemed (presumed) consent approach to organ donation, the Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation undertakes a major role identifying the potential donor in this situation by confirming the deemed consent status of the donor and supporting bereaved relatives. UK governments in England and Scotland are currently seeking legislative changes to an opt-out system of organ donation, in line with the Wales change. DESIGN: This discursive paper explores the role from Donor Transplant Co-ordinator to Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation (SN-OD) within organ donation policy in different settings, but with a specific focus on the UK. The paper clarifies the current and future potential of nurses working with bereaved families when requesting authorisation for donation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The current scope and future potential of Donor Transplant Co-ordinator and Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation roles need better recognition. Little empirical data exist about the key role that these nurses play in the organ donation process, especially in relation to gaining authorisation to proceed to donation. CONCLUSION: There is a need to clarify the role of the Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation and their impact on improving rates of organ donation.

Presumed consent to organ donation in three European countries.

United Kingdom Transplant reported that, during 2007-2008, a total of 7655 people were awaiting a transplant; however, only 3235 organs were available via the current ;opt in' approach. To address this shortfall, new UK legislation sought to increase the number of organs available for donation. The Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales supports the adoption of ;presumed consent' legislation, that is, an ;opt out' approach, as used in much of Europe. Little research, however, has explored the impact on bereaved relatives, nurses and medical staff of introducing presumed consent legislation. Adopting a phenomenological approach, this study used responses to an initial questionnaire combined with selected interviews with health care professionals to capture their direct experience of presumed consent legislation in three European countries: Portugal, Norway and Belgium.