Abstract

The work shows results of a questionnaire carried out from December 2008 to February 2009 among 236 nurses working mostly in Intensive Care Units (82%) in 16 hospitals of Pomorskie Region and Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region. Most of the nurses were between 35 and 44 years old (51%). 31% were university graduated; 37% had 11-20 and 35% over 20 years of working experience. While asked, 88% supported organ harvesting for transplantation, 81% consented to give their organs after death. Over half of questioned (61%) informed their families about their potential organ-donor consent. 38% were not sure to agree to organ retrieval from any adult member of their families. 77% stated that in their hospital organ harvesting takes place, 88% admitted there are present brain death examination guidelines in the hospital wards they work. While asked: do you see the need to employ a transplant coordinator in your hospital - 53% of answers were positive, 24% negative. Respondents stated that the talks with families of the potential organ donors should be carried out either by hospital transplant coordinator (36%) or a ward consultant (29%). Their own skills of potential donor management 6% evaluated as very good, 44% - good, 37% - satisfactory, 12% - unsatisfactory. 82% questioned the need of further donor management education (lectures, courses, conferences). 54% agreed that the organ harvesting training courses should be conducted either by regional transplant coordinator (54%) or by hospital transplant coordinator (38%). Nurses support organ retrieving and basically agree to be potential organ donors; essentially, they informed their families about this decision. In hospital transplant coordinator they see the person who talks with donor families, carries on transplant educational training for hospital staff and cooperates with regional transplant centre coordinator.

Keywords: Transplantation