Examination of the Brain-Dead Organ Donor Management Process at a Spanish Hospital

Abstract

The number of donors and organs available has not increased at the same rate as the inclusion of new patients in the waiting lists. The aim of the present study was to analyze the quality of the detection process of potential brain-dead organ donors at the Hospital of León. For this, a cross-sectional prospective study was developed on a retrospective cohort of patients who were admitted or died by catastrophic brain damage with the potential for organs donation. Data were collected for six months using hospital records of admissions and exitus. For the statistical analysis, the free distribution software Epi Info 3.5.4 was employed. A total of 627 patients were studied: 550 were discharged and 77 died as potential donors. Of the potential donors, 65 died in asystole, but 60 of them had an absolute contraindication to donation and 20 died after limitation of life support therapy. Five cases with donor criteria in controlled asystole were detected. The analysis found that the detection process conformed to the regulatory framework stablished by the National Transplant Organization. However, population aging leads to a high rate of absolute contraindications among detected potential donors. The donation capacity of the hospital could therefore be increased with the implementation of a donor protocol in controlled asystole.