Anne Flodén1, Anna Forsberg. 1. The Unit for Organ and Tissue Donation, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. anne.floden@vgregion.se
Abstract
UNLABELLED: There is a lack of organs for transplantation and the number of potential organ donors is limited. Several studies indicate that the most crucial factor is the attitude to organ donation among intensive care staff. The aim of this study was to describe intensive and critical care nurses' (ICU-nurses) perceptions of organ donation based on their experience of caring for potential organ donors. A phenomenographic method was chosen. Nine nurses from three different Swedish hospitals were interviewed. All were women; aged 36-53 years, with 3-27 years' ICU experience. The analysis revealed the crucial perception "nothing must go wrong". The findings can be described in three parts: organ donation as a situation, organ donation as a phenomenon and different attitudes to organ donation. IN CONCLUSION: various perceptions adopted by ICU nurses might influence the chances of a potential donor becoming an actual donor. This study demonstrates that nurses who promote organ donation strive to fulfil the will of the potential donor by taking responsibility for the perception that "nothing must go wrong".
UNLABELLED: There is a lack of organs for transplantation and the number of potential organ donors is limited. Several studies indicate that the most crucial factor is the attitude to organ donation among intensive care staff. The aim of this study was to describe intensive and critical care nurses' (ICU-nurses) perceptions of organ donation based on their experience of caring for potential organ donors. A phenomenographic method was chosen. Nine nurses from three different Swedish hospitals were interviewed. All were women; aged 36-53 years, with 3-27 years' ICU experience. The analysis revealed the crucial perception "nothing must go wrong". The findings can be described in three parts: organ donation as a situation, organ donation as a phenomenon and different attitudes to organ donation. IN CONCLUSION: various perceptions adopted by ICU nurses might influence the chances of a potential donor becoming an actual donor. This study demonstrates that nurses who promote organ donation strive to fulfil the will of the potential donor by taking responsibility for the perception that "nothing must go wrong".
Authors: Edvaldo Leal de Moraes; Marcelo José dos Santos; Miriam Aparecida Barbosa Merighi; Maria Cristina Komatsu Braga Massarollo Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2014 Mar-Apr