Pediatric staff perspectives on organ donation after cardiac death in children.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this project were to describe whether pediatric clinical staff members believe that a donation after cardiac death (DCD) program could be consistent with the mission and core values of a children's hospital and to identify what staff consider essential to the acceptability of such a program.


METHODS
Qualitative study.


METHODS
Children's hospital.


METHODS
Pediatric clinical staff.


METHODS
Data were gathered from pediatric clinical staff during eight focus groups conducted in a children's hospital in March and April 2005.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight staff members participated. Six major themes emerged from qualitative analysis of the data: a) identifying children who could be candidates for DCD; b) considering the best interests of the dying child; c) approaching parents about DCD; d) preparing parents for their child's DCD; e) doing DCD well; and f) maintaining program integrity. Themes were used to construct a conceptual framework describing a model pediatric DCD program. Pediatric staff voiced numerous concerns. However, they identified "making it happen for families" who voice a desire to participate in organ donation as the primary reason for program adoption.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a framework for understanding pediatric staff perspectives on DCD programs in children. Results suggest several possible elements that may be helpful in framing interdisciplinary dialogue and informing institutional practices in the design of a pediatric DCD program.
Curley
Martha A Q
MA
Critical Care and Cardiovascular Program, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA. curley@nursing.upenn.edu
Harrison
Charlotte H
CH
Craig
Nancy
N
Lillehei
Craig W
CW
Micheli
Anne
A
Laussen
Peter C
PC
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration*