Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
-
Donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD) is responsible for the largest increase in deceased donation over the past decade. When the Canadian DCD guideline was published in 2006, it included recommendations to create standard policies and procedures for withdrawal of life-sustaining measures (WLSM) as well as quality assurance frameworks for this practice. In 2016, the Canadian Critical Care Society produced a guideline for WLSM that requires modifications to facilitate implementation when DCD is part of the end-of-life care plan. ⋯ The tools developed will aid DCD centres in fulsomely adapting the Canadian Critical Care Society Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Measures guideline.
-
We surveyed Canadian critical care physicians who may care for patients who are potential organ donors to understand their attitudes and knowledge of legislation governing the deceased organ donation system. ⋯ While a majority of critical care physicians supported opt-out consent and mandatory referral, many were neutral or against it. Many were unaware of existing laws and had variable opinions on how to ensure accountability. Efforts to increase understanding of how legislative models influence practice are required for any law to achieve its desired effect.