Improving recognition of potential tissue donors: a quality improvement project by a hospitalist in training in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The number of tissue donations decreased in The Netherlands over recent years. The aim of this project was to determine the number of missed tissue donors in the Haaglanden Medical Centre and to develop a strategy to improve the number of tissue donors. We retrospectively analyzed patient files of all deceased patients in 2014 for their potential as tissue donors. Our objectives were to determine the number of missed tissue donors and the percentage of correctly identified tissue donors among all physicians and hospitalists in training. In addition, a clinical audit and three focus group interviews were used to determine the level of knowledge about and adherence to local and national protocols. The findings enabled us to suggest national and local improvements to reduce the percentage of missed tissue donors. The number of missed tissue donors was 94 (17.2%) of 548 deceased patients in 2014. The percentage of correctly identified tissue donors was 65.7% among all physicians (Cohen's Kappa coefficient 0.557, p ≤ 0.001) and 57.1% among hospitalists in training (Cohen's Kappa coefficient 0.492, p ≤ 0.001). In 31 patients (32.4%), the reported contra-indication by physicians was not a contra-indication for tissue donation in The Netherlands. There was no statistical difference in correct identification between physicians and hospitalists in training (p = 0.321, Mann-Whitney). The most effective actions to increase the number of tissue donations include to better inform physicians about contra-indications and help them in the recognition of a tissue donor.