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Pérez-Blanco A, Acevedo M, Padilla M, Gómez A, Zapata L, Barber M, Martínez A, Calleja V, Rivero MC, Fernández E, Velasco J, Flores EM, Quindós B, Rodríguez ST, Virgós B, Robles JC, Nebra AC, Moya J, Trenado J, García N, Vallejo A, Herrero E, García Á, Rodríguez ML, García F, Lara R, Lage L, Gil FJ, Guerrero FJ, Meilán Á, Del Prado N, Fernández C, Coll E, Domínguez-Gil B. Assessing Outcomes of Patients Subject to Intensive Care to Facilitate Organ Donation: A Spanish Multicenter Prospective Study. Transpl Int 2024; 37:12791. [PMID: 38681973 PMCID: PMC11046399 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Intensive Care to facilitate Organ Donation (ICOD) consists of the initiation or continuation of intensive care measures in patients with a devastating brain injury (DBI) in whom curative treatment is deemed futile and death by neurological criteria (DNC) is foreseen, to incorporate organ donation into their end-of-life plans. In this study we evaluate the outcomes of patients subject to ICOD and identify radiological and clinical factors associated with progression to DNC. In this first prospective multicenter study we tested by multivariate regression the association of clinical and radiological severity features with progression to DNC. Of the 194 patients, 144 (74.2%) patients fulfilled DNC after a median of 25 h (95% IQR: 17-44) from ICOD onset. Two patients (1%) shifted from ICOD to curative treatment, both were alive at discharge. Factors associated with progression to DNC included: age below 70 years, clinical score consistent with severe brain injury, instability, intracranial hemorrhage, midline shift ≥5 mm and certain types of brain herniation. Overall 151 (77.8%) patients progressed to organ donation. Based on these results, we conclude that ICOD is a beneficial and efficient practice that can contribute to the pool of deceased donors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Acevedo
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Aroa Gómez
- Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Zapata
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Barber
- Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | | - María C. Rivero
- Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Julio Velasco
- Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | | | - Sergio T. Rodríguez
- Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Beatriz Virgós
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | | - José Moya
- Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Josep Trenado
- Hospital Universitario Mútua Terrasa, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ana Vallejo
- Hospital Universitario de Araba, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | | | - Álvaro García
- Complejo Asistencial Universitario, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | | | - Ramón Lara
- Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ángela Meilán
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Fernández
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago, Santiago, Spain
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Patel C, Nicmanis M, Chur-Hansen A, Crawford GB. Views of admitted palliative care patients and their clinicians on corneal donation discussions: a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:85. [PMID: 38556894 PMCID: PMC10983643 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01421-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a severe shortage of corneas for donation, globally, for transplantation and research purposes. One group of individuals who could potentially be donors are those who die within the inpatient palliative care unit. The aim of the study was to understand clinician and patient perceptions of corneal donations and discussion of donation in palliative care units. METHODS A qualitative design was utilised with data collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis. A total of 46 interviews were undertaken involving inpatient palliative care unit patients (19) and clinicians (27) in three major inpatient palliative care units in South Australia. RESULTS Very few patient participants reported being asked about corneal donations during their time in palliative care. Most inpatient palliative care unit clinicians did not raise the topic as they felt other areas of care took precedence. Inpatient palliative care unit patients thought if inpatient palliative care unit clinicians did not raise the topic, then it was not important. There were some differences between patient and clinician views, such as preference about who raises the possibility of donation and when the discussion might occur. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that patients are receptive to discussing corneal donations, but clinicians are not initiating these. This is a missed opportunity for donors and potential recipients. We recommend that clinicians routinely discuss eye donation as part of palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Patel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Health, and Medical Sciences Building. Corner of North Terrace and George Street, Adelaide Health Simulation - West End Level 2, Adelaide, 5000, Australia.
- Northern Adelaide Palliative Service, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Mitchell Nicmanis
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Anna Chur-Hansen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Gregory B Crawford
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Health, and Medical Sciences Building. Corner of North Terrace and George Street, Adelaide Health Simulation - West End Level 2, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Northern Adelaide Palliative Service, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, Australia
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Holthe E, Husby VS. Barriers to Organ Donation: A Qualitative Study of Intensive Care Nurses' Experiences. Dimens Crit Care Nurs 2023; 42:277-285. [PMID: 37523727 DOI: 10.1097/dcc.0000000000000596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of patients affected by organ failure can be treated with organ transplantation. The need for organs available for transplantation is critical and patients die while on the transplant list. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are essential in facilitating organ donation through their ceaseless bedside care for potential organ donors and their families. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the challenges faced by ICU nurses in the organ donation process. DESIGN A descriptive qualitative study design was used. METHOD Semistructured individual interviews of 9 ICU nurses from 1 university hospital were performed. Data were analyzed using Malterud's systematic text condensation. RESULTS Three themes describe the core of the results: (1) practical tasks, (2) challenging care for the next of kin, and (3) ethical and emotional challenges. CONCLUSIONS Practical tasks represent challenges in the organ donation process that are not previously revealed. Actions to address these challenges should be prioritized to promote organ donation. Simulation-based training may optimize practical aspects of the organ donation process and implementation of simulation-based training should be assessed by future research.
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Patients' preference approach to overcome the moral implications of family-centred decisions in Saudi medical settings. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:128. [PMID: 36474278 PMCID: PMC9724249 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00868-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Saudi clinical settings, cultural influences can give a patient's family authority to override the patient's autonomous right to make informed health-related decisions. Cultural values should not prevent patients from exercising their genuine preferences when making medical decisions in their own best interests. DISCUSSION This article discusses the moral implications of family-centred medical decisions for autonomous patients who are competent and capable of making decisions. The author argues that socio-cultural values do not justify the decision to override patient autonomy when patients express a preference for making their own choices. CONCLUSION The author recommends the use of a model of shared decision-making that accounts for both individual and relational conceptions of autonomy, approaching patients' preferences in all medical encounters with the aim of minimising the potential for socio-cultural values to undermine patient autonomy. Although this approach is a safeguard against both family and medical paternalism, allowance is made for clinicians to act in weakly paternalistic ways when patients at high risk of exacerbating existing medical conditions are likely to benefit from delaying or limiting the disclosure of potentially distressing but non-fatal diagnoses and prognoses. Thus, the author argues that even in a culture that supports family involvement in management decisions, physicians should respect patient autonomy by asking patients for their preferences in the disclosure of their medical diagnoses, prognoses and management options and verifying patients' preferences about the roles they wish their families to play (if any) in health-related decisions.
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Outcome and Midterm Survival after Heart Transplantation Is Independent from Donor Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12071053. [PMID: 35888141 PMCID: PMC9325071 DOI: 10.3390/life12071053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged treatment of organ donors in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be associated with complications influencing the outcome after heart transplantation (HTx). We therefore aim to explore the potential impact of the donor length of stay (LOS) in the ICU on outcomes in our cohort. We included all patients undergoing HTx in our center between September 2010 and April 2022 (n = 241). Recipients were divided around the median into three groups regarding their donor LOS in the ICU: 0 to 3 days (≤50th percentile, n = 92), 4 to 7 days (50th–75th percentile, n = 80), and ≥8 days (≥75th percentile, n = 69). Donor LOS in the ICU ranged between 0 and 155 days (median 4, IQR 3–8 days). No association between the LOS in the ICU and survival after HTx was observed (AUC for overall survival 0.514). Neither the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis up to 5 years after HTx (Log-Rank p = 0.789) nor group comparisons showed significant differences. Baseline recipient characteristics were comparable between the groups, while the donor baselines differed in some parameters, such as less cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to HTx in those with a prolonged LOS. However, regarding the recipients’ peri- and postoperative parameters, the groups did not differ in all of the assessed parameters. Thus, in this retrospective analysis, although the donors differed in baseline parameters, the donor LOS in the ICU was not associated with altered recipient survival or outcome after HTx.
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Liu CW, Chen LN, Anwar A, Lu Zhao B, Lai CKY, Ng WH, Suhitharan T, Ho VK, Liu JCJ. Comparing organ donation decisions for next-of-kin versus the self: results of a national survey. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051273. [PMID: 34785552 PMCID: PMC8596040 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intensive care audits point to family refusal as a major barrier to organ donation. In this study, we sought to understand refusal by accounting for the decision-maker's mindset. This focused on: (1) how decisions compare when made on behalf of a relative (vs the self); and (2) confidence in decisions made for family members. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey in Singapore. SETTING Participants were recruited from community settings via door-to-door sampling and community eateries. PARTICIPANTS 973 adults who qualified as organ donors in Singapore. RESULTS Although 68.1% of participants were willing to donate their own organs, only 51.8% were willing to donate a relative's organs. Using machine learning, we found that consistency was predicted by: (1) religion, and (2) fears about organ donation. Conversely, participants who were willing to donate their own organs but not their relative's were less driven by these factors, and may instead have resorted to heuristics in decision-making. Finally, we observed how individuals were overconfident in their decision-making abilities: although 78% had never discussed organ donation with their relatives, the large majority expressed high confidence that they would respect their relatives' wishes on death. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the distinct psychological processes involved when donation decisions are made for family members. Amidst a global shortage of organ donors, addressing the decision-maker's mindset (eg, overconfidence, the use of heuristics) may be key to actualizing potential donors identified in intensive care units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Weiyang Liu
- Department of Pain Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
- Anaesthesiology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lynn N Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Amalina Anwar
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | - Boyu Lu Zhao
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | - Clin K Y Lai
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | - Wei Heng Ng
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | - Thangavelautham Suhitharan
- Anaesthesiology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Surgical Intensive Care, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Vui Kian Ho
- Anaesthesiology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Surgical Intensive Care, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jean C J Liu
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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A national Position Statement on adult end-of-life care in critical care. Aust Crit Care 2021; 35:480-487. [PMID: 34384650 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient death in critical care is not uncommon. Rather, the provision of end-of-life care is a core feature of critical care nursing, yet not all nurses feel adequately prepared for their role in the provision of end-of-life care. For this reason, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) supported the development of a Position Statement to provide nurses with clear practice recommendations to guide the provision of end-of-life care, which reflect the most relevant evidence and information associated with end-of-life care for adult patients in Australian critical care settings. A systematic literature search was conducted between June and July, 2020 in CINAHL Complete, Medline, and EMBASE databases to locate research evidence related to key elements of end-of-life care in critical care. Preference was given to the most recent Australian or Australasian research evidence, where available. Once the practice recommendations were drafted in accordance with the research evidence, a clinical expert review panel was established. The panel comprised clinically active ACCCN members with at least 12 months of clinical experience. The clinical expert review panel participated in an eDelphi process to provide face validity for practice recommendations and a subsequent online meeting to suggest additional refinements and ensure the final practice recommendations were meaningful and practical for critical care nursing practice in Australia. ACCCN Board members also provided independent review of the Position Statement. This Position Statement is intended to provide practical guidance to critical care nurses in the provision of adult end-of-life care in Australian critical care settings.
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Pek JH, Ho VK, Ng WS, Kabir T, Tiah L, Koh Y. Missed opportunities for organ donation in patients with intracranial haemorrhage at the emergency department: A single-centre study. PROCEEDINGS OF SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/2010105819868487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The demand for transplantable organs has increased in Singapore. However, organ donation has been consistently lower than international standards. Donation after brain death (DBD) most commonly follows intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Objective: Our aim was to identify missed opportunities for organ donation among those who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) and died following ICH. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out for all cases of ICH presenting to the ED from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. The patients’ medical records were reviewed for identification of potential donors and actualisation of organ donation. Results: There were 615 cases of ICH, with a mortality rate of 6.0%. Among those who died, 28 (75.7%) died in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and nine (24.3%) patients had withdrawal of care in the ED. Thirty patients (81.1%) were potential donors but organ donation was actualised in only three (8.1%) patients. Thirteen organs, as well as heart valves and iliac vessels were retrieved from the organ donors for transplantation. Conclusion: There were missed opportunities for organ donation. EDs have an important role to play in the national organ donation programme by identifying potential donors for organ donation and considering admitting these patients to ICU to facilitate organ donation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen Heng Pek
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Vui Kian Ho
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wei Sheng Ng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Tousif Kabir
- Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ling Tiah
- Accident and Emergency Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yexin Koh
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
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