Organ donation: A statewide survey of trauma surgeons

Purpose: Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) operate under the premise t hat Americans would donate organs and/or tissue if placed in appropriate ci rcumstances. This study evaluated opinions of Pennsylvania trauma surgeons regarding OPOs and organ donation. Methods: Ninety-six Pennsylvania trauma surgeons were surveyed and descript ive results calculated. Results: Ninety percent were familiar with criteria for organ donation, and about 76% would invoke their institution's brain death policy even if fami lies did not desire to donate organs, A small portion did not routinely pro nounce patients brain dead that met criteria, One fourth indicated trauma s urgeons should have no role in requesting organs. A majority believed traum a surgeons should have a role in organ donation requests, either alone or w ith an OPO representative, and most indicated that they could influence a f amily's decision. Conclusion: Requester attitude is important, and our results show an overal l positive attitude toward donation and a solid level of knowledge regardin g donor eligibility, Hospital development programs to improve donation cons ent should emphasize decoupling of brain death discussion and donation requ est, work to improve staff attitudes about approaching patients, and addres s donor eligibility criteria.