Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/4/1/2
Organ Donation: Experience in the Maintenance of a Brain-Dead Donor
Petra Urbič Jurak
; Medical Centre Rogaška Slatina, Zdravstvo d.o.o., Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia
Andrej Starc
; Faculty of Health Sciences, Chair of Public Health, Slovenia, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Background:
Brain death is an irreversible biological event, and is the permanent cessation of functions of the brain and brainstem. Transplantation has become an established method of treatment of many, near-terminal patients.
Methods:
The sample consisted of three groups: doctors, registered nurses, and nursing assistants. The research was carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of An-
aesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Therapy Department and at the Clinical Department of Vascular Neurology and Intensive Neurological Therapy. Data were collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews.
Results:
Women experience more stress when working with brain-dead donors than men do. We conclude that the work with a brain-dead organ donor represents a specific situation and has little in common with the factors that affect the overall satisfaction of health-care professionals. Healthcare professionals who are undecided about the donation of their own organs are against organ donation in general. It has been shown that there is a lack of education and communication on the maintenance of brain-dead donors.
Conclusions:
Work with brain-dead donors is almost routine work in intensive care units. Some healthcare professionals perceive a brain-dead organ donor like any other patient, but within a defined protocol.
Keywords
brain death; transplantation activity; brain-dead organ donor; stress; experiences of health professionals
Hrčak ID:
199708
URI
Publication date:
27.4.2018.
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