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Organ donation and the Emergency Department

Phil Walton 30 Apr 2024

With the introduction of the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act on 20 May 2020, the subject of organ donation and transplantation again has a spotlight shone on it. The Emergency Department plays a pivotal role in the admission and stabilisation of patients with a perceived devastating brain injury and this talk breaks down that process in the context of organ donation and the amazing gift it may bring.

We know that organ donation has a much greater profile across England since the deemed consent law was introduced in May 2020; however, the law itself is not a panacea to reduce the gap between the number of people waiting for an organ and those available for transplant. The law provides an opportunity for people to donate who have not got round to making or sharing their donation decision but this is underpinned and completely reliant on health care professionals being aware of and committing to the process which allows families to consider donation in the right place and at the right time.

Organ donation and the ED: a strategy for best practice

This uses available best practice guidance to reinforce the good management of a patient with a perceived devastating brain injury and the pathways in place to support a recovery from their insult or entering into a palliative process.

Further resources

  • Harvey, D., Butler, J., Groves, J. et al. . British Journal of Anaesthesia 120(1): 138e145 (2018).
  • Manara AR, Thomas I, Harding R. . Journal of the Intensive Care Society. 2016;17(4):295-301.
  • NHS Blood and Transplant (2019). .
  • NHS Blood and Transplant (2014). .
  • NICE Guideline [CG135]. .
  • Souter, M.J., Blissitt, P.A., Blosser, S. et al. . Neurocrit Care 23, 4–13 (2015).
  • The Faculty of Intensive Care Management (2018). .
  • The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (2015). .

Watch the other presentations

This blog and presentation is one of a three-part education webinar series on opt out organ donation.

Phil Walton

Phil Walton

Project Lead, Legislation Change Programme: Organ Donation and Nursing, NHS Blood and Transplant

Phil is one of two project leads for the legislation change programme in NHSBT responsible for the operational delivery of deemed consent in Organ Donation.

Page last updated - 30/04/2024