APPROACHING DONOR FAMILIES
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Supporting Donor Families through the Authorization Process presented by Annabelle Slater, R.N. |
DONATION CONVERSATION
LifeShare plays a very important role in approaching potential donor families on the subject of organ, eye and tissue donation. When given the opportunity to save a life, most people will do so, which is why this conversation and approach is so important. LifeShare staff and the hospital professionals play a critical role in ensuring that every potential donor family is offered the opportunity to save lives.
The Grieving Family
Emotions after learning of a loved one’s death or deciding to withdraw support are varied and unpredictable but can include anger, guilt, fear, hopelessness, and more. These emotions are individualized, and each family member has his/her own experience.
Whenever possible, we like to allow families time to grieve and spend time together after learning of their loved one’s death or after they have made the decision to allow natural death. This decoupling time is crucial for grieving families.
Approaching for Donation
Family’s needs are always met first before the donation conversation takes place (decoupling time, receiving support from chaplains, allowing time for other family members to arrive at hospital, etc). When given the opportunity to save a life, most people will do so, which is why this conversation and approach is so important.
Only trained staff from LifeShare should bring up donation to families!
Why?
• Hospital staff members who first speak to family members about donation present a conflict of interest
• Families often view this as the hospital no longer caring for their loved one and “only wanting their organs”
• The timing of this conversation may not be appropriate, especially if decoupling has not happened
• The patient may not be eligible to donate leading to further disappointment
• Conversations prior to authorized consent by LifeShare prevents detailed questions from being answered appropriately
• The patient could be a registered donor
The Grieving Family
Emotions after learning of a loved one’s death or deciding to withdraw support are varied and unpredictable but can include anger, guilt, fear, hopelessness, and more. These emotions are individualized, and each family member has his/her own experience.
Whenever possible, we like to allow families time to grieve and spend time together after learning of their loved one’s death or after they have made the decision to allow natural death. This decoupling time is crucial for grieving families.
Approaching for Donation
Family’s needs are always met first before the donation conversation takes place (decoupling time, receiving support from chaplains, allowing time for other family members to arrive at hospital, etc). When given the opportunity to save a life, most people will do so, which is why this conversation and approach is so important.
Only trained staff from LifeShare should bring up donation to families!
Why?
• Hospital staff members who first speak to family members about donation present a conflict of interest
• Families often view this as the hospital no longer caring for their loved one and “only wanting their organs”
• The timing of this conversation may not be appropriate, especially if decoupling has not happened
• The patient may not be eligible to donate leading to further disappointment
• Conversations prior to authorized consent by LifeShare prevents detailed questions from being answered appropriately
• The patient could be a registered donor
WHAT IF THE FAMILY APPROACHES HOSPITAL STAFF ABOUT DONATION?
The family mentions donation early?
• “My commitment right now is to care for your loved one, but I will contact an expert in that area and ask someone to come and speak with you to answer your questions.”
The family tells you they don’t want to donate?
• “A full discussion of end-of-life must occur; we have an end-of-life care expert who will be arriving to speak with you shortly.”
A physician mentions donation to you?
• Explain to the doctor that only LifeShare should approach family for donation, and regardless of the family’s answer to donation as presented by the physician, a LifeShare representative will still have to have the donation conversation
to ensure that the family received an accurate explanation of the organ donation opportunity and process.
The family wants to decelerate care?
• “I understand you want to stop all treatment. We want to make sure your loved one is comfortable and that you have all the appropriate information. I will send in another member of the health care team to help with the next steps.”
The family is ready to withdraw?
• “I understand that you’re ready to withdraw support. I need to speak to/receive orders from the physician and end-of-life specialists about that process. Please continue to be patient during this process.”
• “My commitment right now is to care for your loved one, but I will contact an expert in that area and ask someone to come and speak with you to answer your questions.”
The family tells you they don’t want to donate?
• “A full discussion of end-of-life must occur; we have an end-of-life care expert who will be arriving to speak with you shortly.”
A physician mentions donation to you?
• Explain to the doctor that only LifeShare should approach family for donation, and regardless of the family’s answer to donation as presented by the physician, a LifeShare representative will still have to have the donation conversation
to ensure that the family received an accurate explanation of the organ donation opportunity and process.
The family wants to decelerate care?
• “I understand you want to stop all treatment. We want to make sure your loved one is comfortable and that you have all the appropriate information. I will send in another member of the health care team to help with the next steps.”
The family is ready to withdraw?
• “I understand that you’re ready to withdraw support. I need to speak to/receive orders from the physician and end-of-life specialists about that process. Please continue to be patient during this process.”
