OR Nursing Education
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rgan recovery is the final step in the donor process. Often, hospital staff members will hold what’s called an honor walk as the donor is transferred from the ICU to the OR.
ICU/ED Donation Education
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TN has recently expanded our clinical triggers for potential organ referrals to ensure we maximize every possible lifesaving gift. While this is a nursing responsibility, anyone can initiate the referral to MTN. MTN must be notified within 60 minutes when a mechanically ventilated patient has ANY of the following: • A severe neurological injury or devastating illness
Here are some details about these meaningful events:
• A GCS of 5 or less
• Many OR staff observe an honor walk, while others may accompany the donor.
• Any talks of end-of-life planning or GIP hospice on ANY patient, regardless of diagnosis
• Just prior to entering the restricted OR doors, families are given a few moments to say goodbye to their loved one.
Also, please update MTN immediately if a mechanically ventilated patient has:
• MTN Family Services Coordinators will also fold the donor quilt that has been placed on their loved one and present it to the family just prior to the donor going to the surgical suite for recovery. • Although difficult, please walk slowly with the donor and his/ her/their family and ensure sensitivity as they say their final goodbye. We appreciate all that you do to provide compassionate care for donors and their families.
Contact Us For more information or questions, call 913-262-1668 or visit mwtn.org
• A shift to end-of-life decisions, palliative care, GIP hospice consult or terminal extubation plans • Code status shifts to DNR or there is a deceleration in care • A code event, a deterioration of clinical status or a loss of neurological reflexes Please also update MTN promptly if a mechanically ventilated patient’s family asks about donation.
Respiratory Therapy Education: Investigate Before You Extubate • Respiratory therapists are an essential part of the donation process in the ICU and ED. • Your participation in terminal extubations is another opportunity to ensure that an MTN referral or update has been made. • Please investigate before you extubate: Ask your ED or critical care nurse if MTN has been updated prior to the terminal extubation of any patient in the ICU or ED. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Donation is simply not possible without you.
National Donate Life Month
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very April, the United States celebrates National Donate Life Month (NDLM) to honor donors, recipients, their families and to educate the public. Please reach out to your Hospital Services Coordinator to arrange donation awareness activities and celebratory NDLM activities. Together, we save more lives!
4 • Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at mwtn.org
