An in-house coordinator program to increase organ donation in public teaching hospitals.
The organ donor referral rates at Ben Taub General Hospital, a level 1 county trauma facility in Houston, Tex, were in the high 90s from 1993 through 1996. However, organs were procured from only 25% of those potential donors who were medically suitable. LifeGift Organ Donation Center identified two issues concerning the hospital's organ donor referrals: early medical management problems and a low consent rate. The hospital and LifeGift developed an in-house coordinator program along with specific protocols that have markedly increased the quantity of organ donors. In fiscal year 1994, 15 organ donors were recovered; in fiscal year 1995, following the implementation of the program, 25 organ donors were recovered. In fiscal year 1996, 39 organ donors were recovered. The in-house coordinators' consent rate was 72% of medically suitable potential donors. Early referrals for evaluation contributed to these successes.
Sullivan
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H
LifeGift Organ Donation Center, Houston, Tex., USA.
Blakely
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D
Davis
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K
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D011367:Professional Staff Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013781:Texas; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014193:Trauma Centers