title: The Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative: has it made a difference?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative (ODBC) was established in 2003 to increase the number of transplantable organs in the United States. However, recent publications have suggested that the ODBC has not impacted donation conversion rates at local organ procurement organizations (OPOs). We sought to determine the impact, if any, of our becoming part of the ODBC on organ donation rates in our OPO or in our institution (Carolinas Medical Center [CMC]), particularly among minority donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of data entered concurrently into a patient referral database maintained by our local OPO. Donation approach and consent rates were calculated. They were then analyzed by race and institution, and trends were analyzed over the study period of 2002 to 2010. Statistical differences between the various patient groups were determined by the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test. Statistical differences over time were determined by the Cochran-Armitage trend test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2002 to 2010, 10,855 patients were screened by our OPO for potential organ donation. The overall approach rate was 13.4%, and the consent rate was 57.6%. An increase in approach and consent rates was noted beginning in 2004, but this increase was not sustained. Consent rates in general were higher for white patients than for black and Hispanic patients. Consent rates for CMC did increase significantly (P = .02), but they did not increase for the non-CMC hospitals. When analyzed by race, no significant changes were noted in consent rates over time. When analyzed by race and institution, the only statistically significant increase in consent rates occurred for white patients at CMC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since joining the ODBC, we have noted an increase in consent rates at a single institution (CMC), but no other significant changes. Greater emphasis should be placed on methods to increase and sustain consent rates for all racial groups in general, with a special emphasis on increasing consent rates in minority patients.
authors: Department of Surgery, F.H. Sammy Ross Jr Trauma Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, MEB #601, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
authors: Barry D
authors: BD
authors: Davis
authors: H James
authors: HJ
authors: Norton
authors: David G
authors: DG
authors: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008913:Minority Groups; D009657:North Carolina; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends