BEST PRACTICES: Who Should Talk to Families About Donation? Why a Collaborative Approach Plan With FLDRN Is So Important
Many things should be considered before speaking with families about organ donation. Approaching families about donation too soon or without authorization from FLDRN can lead to misunderstandings or an uninformed response.
The best practice? When the time is right to discuss donation with a family, we will partner with the healthcare team to determine the best plan for doing so.
Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network is committed to working with our hospital partners to develop a plan on how best to approach the discussion of organ donation that best meets the needs of each patient and their family.
Many things should be considered before speaking with families about organ donation. We often face a challenge, however, when organ donation has been mentioned to the family either prior to confirming that it can be an option, or without collaborating first with FLDRN.
Approaching families about donation too soon or without authorization from FLDRN can lead to misunderstandings or an uninformed response.
The best practice? When the time is right to discuss donation with a family, we will partner with the healthcare team to determine the best plan for doing so.
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A “pre-mention” may include statements like:
- “Many people in your situation see organ donation as a way to have something good come out of a tragedy.”
- “Do you know if he/she signed their driver’s license to be an organ donor?”
- “There are some people here from the organ donation center and they will want to talk with you later.”
Common responses from families when there are pre-mentions of donation include:
- Questioning the motives of the hospital. “Are you trying to save my loved one, or someone who needs a transplant?”
- Families choosing to donate when donation is not an option. Prior to discussing donation with the family, we want to make sure that there are no known medical conditions that would preclude donation. If it is known the patient cannot be a donor, we do not ask to meet with the family to discuss organ donation. Families have told us they were very disappointed to learn their loved one was unable to be a donor (for any number of reasons) after donation was already mentioned as an end-of-life option. This disappointment just adds to their devastating loss. We WILL, however, always be available at any time to talk with an authorized party about donation if the FAMILY brings it up to you.
- Family may choose not to donate, based on misconceptions. The most important goal for a planned family meeting is to make sure they have all the information about organ donation and answers to their questions in order to make an educated decision and one that is in congruence with the patient’s wishes and lifestyle.
When working together in building an approach to meet with a family, we value your input and trust your guidance.
We will huddle with the care team to assess what the family has been told about the condition of their loved one, what their response was, and learn who has been involved in decision making.
In addition, if specific cultural or religious practices exist, we appreciate you sharing that information with us so we can be sensitive to their needs.
Should you feel that it is the right time to discuss donation with the family, please call us so we can collaborate in the discussion after medical evaluation. Together, we can honor patient wishes and save lives through donation.
