Organ donation - time limit?

[Craig]

Hi,

I'm just revising organ donation and I cannot find anywhere in the lecture handouts what the time limit is for tissue/organ donation after death is confirmed.

This is pretty important, since it was identified as one of the issues where staff feel uncomfortable asking families and so may delay asking, which can ultimately lead to the organs no longer being viable.

Can anyone remember what the time period was when organ harvesting must begin?

Thanks!

[anto1964]

Hi Craig

I seem to remember that there were different time limits for different parts of the body, this included 4 hours for large organs such as liver and heart however there was reference made to some tissue (eyes) being harvested 24 hours after death. Dont know if this is helpful.

Anto

[jessica]

www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/about_transplants/donor_care/policy_documents/ICS_guidelines_for_adult_organ_and_tissue_donation_chapter_5(nov2004).pdf

May be a useful link. I read that families get some sense of satisfaction of seeing the patient cared for even after death; also that nurses who approach families about donation should ideally have prior knowledge of their wishes; clear documentation is needed of there being no objections. Even if families are for donation, the wishes of the patient must be considered. Research says that nurses are reticent particularly about approaching families from ethnic minorities - the point is to get to know them as individuals and find out what they want. Also the ITU transplant coordinator said that even if the patient wished to donate, this would be unlikely if the family objected - I have views about that!

Can't answer specific questions about time limits for particular organs, but my notes from the lecture say donation must take place within 24 hours of death (1st certification) and if death does not occur within 2 hours of withdrawal of life support, donation is stood down.

Good luck. Revising for this exam is like herding cats, or p*&^ing in the wind. I am about to put all my cats on the dining room table and see if they are friendly.

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