Mandatory reporting of "imminent" death to identify organ donors: history, controversy, and potential solutions.
OBJECTIVE
To review the history of mandatory reporting for the purpose of identifying potential organ and tissue donors, and the controversy around the terms, "imminent" or "impending" death, and to suggest a solution to this controversy.


METHODS
In this narrative review, published papers were retrieved based on a Medline search using the terms, "mandatory reporting" and "organ donation." In addition, unpublished data from the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Pennsylvania Gift of Life Program were reviewed.


RESULTS
There has been no demonstrable effect of mandatory reporting of "imminent" death independent of educational activities on numbers of organ donors or organs transplanted. Furthermore, mandatory reporting of "imminent" death does not meet criteria of an acceptable screening test.


CONCLUSIONS
Education of health care providers about eligibility for organ and tissue donation and about whom to report as a potential donor will hopefully lead to identification of more individuals who meet criteria for organ donation and who will go on to donate organs to the many potential recipients.
Dodek
Peter
P
Program of Critical Care Medicine and Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul's Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. pedodek@interchange.ubc.ca
D003643:Death; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting / Q000941:ethics*; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000941:ethics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data