In-house coordination project for organ and tissue procurement: social responsibility and promising results

Abstract

Objectives: to report the results of evaluation regarding changes in the number of potential donor referrals, actual donors, and conversion rates after the implementation of an in-house organ and tissue donation for transplantation coordination project. Methods: epidemiological study, both retrospective and transversal, was performed with organ donation data from the Secretariat of Health for the State and the in-house organ donation coordination project of a beneficent hospital. The data was compared using nonparametric statistical Mann-Whitney test, and the Student's t-test, considering a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). Results: there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), before and after the implementation of the project on the number of potential donor notification/month (3.05 - 4.7 ), number of actual donor/month (0.78 to 1.60) and rate of conversion ( 24.7 to 34.8 %). The hospitals 1, 2, 7 and 8 had significant results in potential donor, actual donor or conversion rate. Conclusion: the presence of an in-house coordinator is promising and beneficial, the specialist is important to change the indicators of efficiency, which consequently reduces the waiting lists for organ transplants.

Defining Quality Criteria for Success in Organ Donation Programs: A Scoping Review

“…110 While educating employees allows them to recognize and refer possible donors earlier in the process 45 , 52 , 74 and facilitate steps, 52 training programs should be adapted to each level, that is, basic knowledge to hospital staff, in-depth training to donation coordinators. 23 , 25 , 57 , 62 , 64 , 73 , 78 , 83 - 85 , 99 , 103 , 104 , 108 Furthermore, specific training (ie, on effective and empathetic communication with donor relatives) boosts the number of consent rates and organ donors, 61 , 77 , 82 , 93 , 102 , 105 , 106 , 109 donor relatives’ satisfaction with the donation process, 82 and is recommended as one key strategy to improve donation numbers. 40 , 68 , 69 Specific training inspires hospital staff to become committed to the organ donation cause and increase conversion rates.…”

“…In 15 papers we identified the attribute of dedicated team on site, meaning having hospital staff either nominated as support personnel to organ donation cases or who volunteer into this role in addition to their usual activities. 24 , 35 , 36 , 40 - 42 , 45 , 47 , 65 , 77 , 84 , 99 , 108 , 111 Studies highlighted the formalization of a team of ICU healthcare providers to support organ donation as contributing to increased donation rates. The role of “donation champions” or “certified nurse requestors” contributes to improve conversion rates, 36 , 40 , 42 , 45 , 47 , 65 donation rates, 84 and organ donation programs in general.…”

“…35 , 44 In addition, studies report that implementing organ donation committees contributes to increasing donation rates. 61 , 85 , 99 , 108 , 111 One study suggested identifying and utilizing the strengths and experiences of critical care and intensive care staff usually passionate about organ donation to improve compliance in other areas such as emergency departments. 69…”

“…We identified this attribute, which includes factors embedded in the physical, economic, or organizational structures of hospitals and organ donation programs, in 15 papers. 23 , 25 , 40 , 43 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 83 , 86 , 94 , 95 , 98 , 108 , 112 A structured donation program reduces costs and maximizes organ donations. 23 , 109 The development of a donation committee may help increase hospital staff support to organ donation.…”

“… 98 Successfully implementing a deceased organ donation program includes establishing dedicated human resources to organ donation activities 40 , 83 and a central administrative agency to coordinate and support all processes of organ donation (ie, an ODO). 40 , 57 Ideally, adequate reimbursement of hospitals’ procurement and transplant activities 25 , 62 , 108 , 112 and overall financing of organ donation programs 52 should be provided. Hospital characteristics, such as having a neurosurgery department, 59 , 62 , 86 , 94 , 95 , 112 availability of ICU beds, 62 , 94 , 95 , 112 computerized tomography, 62 , 94 , 95 , 112 concentration of population, 62 , 94 , 95 , 112 and number of nurses and physicians per acute care bed 25 , 62 , 94 , 95 , 112 were identified as positively influencing the number of organ donors.…”