Organ Donation after Cardiac Death by Susie Phelps

Erin Militello

2015-10-11 22:08:33 UTC

This was a great presentation about a crucial topic. I learned about the definition of cardiac death and nursing responsibilities for organ procurement. Brain death is the legal time of death. Cardiac death has occurred after adequate time has passed after occurrence of asystole to ensure that circulation will not spontaneously restart. Harvest of organs after cardiac death greatly increases availability of donations because there are far more potential donors who experience cardiac death than brain death. However, there are ethical concerns that must be considered because life support must be withdrawn from a potential cardiac donor in order to procure organs. After I identify potential cardiac donors I will be sure to first notify LifeLink to properly obtain informed consent from families so that organ procurement can occur. After discussion with the OPO has been initiated and consents obtained, I will be available for further family education and support.

Carson Wells

2015-10-12 01:01:32 UTC

Great job on your presentation, Group C! I learned about legal and ethical implications related to organ donation, the vital role of the OPO, and the nurse's role in notifying LifeLink of potential donors. I will utilize this information to educate and support patients and families in the clinical setting. I will also use this information to educate my professional colleagues regarding cardiac death protocols and the nurses role in identifying potential donors to LifeLink.

Khang Nguyen

2015-10-27 20:32:40 UTC

Great information. In the Neuro ICU, I have a lot of brain death patients. It is wonderful to learn about the process of organ donation. I make me more appreciate people who are organ donators.

Shae Hurt

2015-10-28 00:24:43 UTC

Great topic! Interesting to compare Organ Donation based on cardiac death and brain death as well as the different organs donated. In the Surgical ICU most of our patient's are not candidates for organ donation considering the criteria presented. However, we do receive Medical ICU overflow, these patients have been candidates for LifeLink before. I did have the opportunity to sit in on an organ cultivating surgery. It was interesting to see the process. The nursing role seems is crucial in the organ donation process.

Taneisha Warren-Parkinson

2015-10-28 00:27:50 UTC

Great presentation. It was interesting to read and learn all about the process of organ donation as it relates to cardiac death. In the surgical ICU, the patients are not usually eligible for organ donation. this is due to the fact that most of our patients have a disease process affecting their kidney (pt's are on CRRT therapy) , pancreas, and liver (pt's are on MARS therapy) and at that point they are also on the ventilator. Since these are the major organs that can be donated with cardiac death, they are usually not candidates. The nursing care seems very interesting and critical with their communication with LifeLink.