• Julian Garside, Marie Garside, Simon Fletcher, and Bruce Finlayson.
• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, 48 Pightle Way, Lyng, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 5RL, UK. julian.garside@nnuh.nhs.uk
• Emerg Med J. 2012 Mar 1;29(3):228-32.

ObjectiveTo review the impact of an embedded specialist nurse in organ donation (SN:OD) and the utilisation of a collaborative care pathway on potential solid organ donor referrals in an emergency department (ED) over a 24-month period.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of adult patient deaths within the department, (n=311) during a 24-month period. Referral rates to the organ donation team (ODT) were compared before and after the introduction of a SN:OD and collaborative care pathway.ResultsReferrals to the ODT significantly increased from three of 151 eligible patients (2%) to 26 of 160 patients (16%; χ(2) test p<0.0001) following the introduction of a SN:OD into the trust. The number of patients proceeding to organ donation increased from none to two (Fisher's exact test p=1.0).ConclusionsThe presence of an embedded SN:OD in the ED and the adoption of a collaborative care pathway to establish clinical triggers for referral to the ODT have significantly increased the rate of referral of adult potential organ donors to organ donation services.

24 keywords...

hide…