Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting

Background. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family members of potential organ donors in the intensive care unit following the change to deemed consent legislation in Nova Scotia. Methods. This was a qualitative study with semistructured, in-depth interviews with 17 family...

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Main Authors: Aimee J. Sarti, MD, Stephanie Sutherland, PhD, Matthew J. Weiss, MD, Alain Landry, BScN, Heather Hemming, MSW, Jade Dirk, BSc, Ken Lotherington, BA, Stephen Beed, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2024-11-01
Series:Transplantation Direct
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/transplantationdirect/fulltext/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001713
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author Aimee J. Sarti, MD
Stephanie Sutherland, PhD
Matthew J. Weiss, MD
Alain Landry, BScN
Heather Hemming, MSW
Jade Dirk, BSc
Ken Lotherington, BA
Stephen Beed, MD
author_facet Aimee J. Sarti, MD
Stephanie Sutherland, PhD
Matthew J. Weiss, MD
Alain Landry, BScN
Heather Hemming, MSW
Jade Dirk, BSc
Ken Lotherington, BA
Stephen Beed, MD
author_sort Aimee J. Sarti, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family members of potential organ donors in the intensive care unit following the change to deemed consent legislation in Nova Scotia. Methods. This was a qualitative study with semistructured, in-depth interviews with 17 family members who were asked to make an organ donation decision on behalf of patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Nova Scotia. We analyzed themes using a descriptive approach. Participants were recruited from the organ donation organization in Nova Scotia, Canada. Results. Participant awareness and knowledge of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation varied from individuals having no awareness and knowledge of the bill to those who had awareness and optimism that the legislation would be beneficial for increasing organ donation rates in the province. Other themes emerging from the interviews included (1) COVID context, (2) quality of healthcare professional care, (3) family support, and (4) barriers to donation (waiting, consent questionnaire, and patient transfers). Conclusions. The Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation included enhanced support, which was viewed positively by family members. There is a need for continued evaluation as most participants felt it was too early to see the tangible impacts of the newly implemented legislation.
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spelling doaj-art-ce8aaf53495b49a1a7bb7783a5b9b0b92025-08-20T02:27:16ZengWolters KluwerTransplantation Direct2373-87312024-11-011011e171310.1097/TXD.0000000000001713202411000-00001Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU SettingAimee J. Sarti, MD0Stephanie Sutherland, PhD1Matthew J. Weiss, MD2Alain Landry, BScN3Heather Hemming, MSW4Jade Dirk, BSc5Ken Lotherington, BA6Stephen Beed, MD71 Department of Critical Care, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.2 Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.3 Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, CHU de Quebec-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.4 Legacy of Life Organ Donation Program, Nova Scotia Health, NS, Canada4 Legacy of Life Organ Donation Program, Nova Scotia Health, NS, Canada4 Legacy of Life Organ Donation Program, Nova Scotia Health, NS, Canada5 Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.6 Department of Critical Care, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Halifax, NS, Canada.Background. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family members of potential organ donors in the intensive care unit following the change to deemed consent legislation in Nova Scotia. Methods. This was a qualitative study with semistructured, in-depth interviews with 17 family members who were asked to make an organ donation decision on behalf of patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Nova Scotia. We analyzed themes using a descriptive approach. Participants were recruited from the organ donation organization in Nova Scotia, Canada. Results. Participant awareness and knowledge of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation varied from individuals having no awareness and knowledge of the bill to those who had awareness and optimism that the legislation would be beneficial for increasing organ donation rates in the province. Other themes emerging from the interviews included (1) COVID context, (2) quality of healthcare professional care, (3) family support, and (4) barriers to donation (waiting, consent questionnaire, and patient transfers). Conclusions. The Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act legislation included enhanced support, which was viewed positively by family members. There is a need for continued evaluation as most participants felt it was too early to see the tangible impacts of the newly implemented legislation.http://journals.lww.com/transplantationdirect/fulltext/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001713
spellingShingle Aimee J. Sarti, MD
Stephanie Sutherland, PhD
Matthew J. Weiss, MD
Alain Landry, BScN
Heather Hemming, MSW
Jade Dirk, BSc
Ken Lotherington, BA
Stephen Beed, MD
Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
Transplantation Direct
title Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
title_full Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
title_fullStr Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
title_full_unstemmed Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
title_short Nova Scotia’s Deemed Consent for Deceased Organ Donation: Family Member Perspectives and Experiences in the ICU Setting
title_sort nova scotia s deemed consent for deceased organ donation family member perspectives and experiences in the icu setting
url http://journals.lww.com/transplantationdirect/fulltext/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001713
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