Exploring the challenges experienced by Intensive Care Unit nurses during the organ donation process: a scoping review

Selvaraj, Nelson ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6104-2845, Baillie, Jessica ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4592-7286, Edwards, Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-9297 and Jones, Jonathan 2024. Exploring the challenges experienced by Intensive Care Unit nurses during the organ donation process: a scoping review. Presented at: Welsh Intensive Care Society Summer Conference, Cardigan, Wales, 02 July 2024.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION The decision-making process surrounding organ donation for donors’ families can be extremely stressful, and evidence suggests that the presence of nurses when families are approached about the organ donation process may ease families’ grief and thus facilitate the donor process. However, caring for potential organ donors and their families can be a challenging prospect for many Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses. AIMS The aims of this scoping review are to explore the challenges experienced by ICU nurses during the organ donation process and identify support models or strategies that may support ICU nurses when caring for potential organ donors and their families during the organ donation process. METHODS A scoping review is considered to be the most appropriate methodology for this work due to the complex and heterogenous nature of the chosen topic. This scoping review was guided by the three-step search strategy recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. The following databases were searched for eligible studies with no date restrictions applied: Cochrane library, MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, OVID Emcare, Web of Science and CINAHL (via EBSCO). Papers were independently screened, selected, and extracted by two reviewers. Results will be mapped as answers to each of the two review questions and presented according to the concepts of interest, using tables, figures and supporting narrative summary. RESULTS From 153 studies, 28 studies met inclusion criteria and were selected for data extraction. With regards to the challenges, there were seven key themes identified: 1) Challenges around direct patient care 2) Challenges around care for the next of kin 3) Challenges around understanding the concept of brain stem death 4) Emotional challenges 5) Ethical challenges 6) Communication challenges, and 7) Organisational challenges Studies have identified several support models including debriefing, training and education and availability of local / national protocols and guidelines for organ donation. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION Included primary research papers employed several different methodological approaches. Most research papers (82%) used qualitative approach. Overall, the findings of this scoping review suggest that ICU nurses experience numerous challenges while caring for a potential organ donor and their family. Support models / strategies such as simulation training and routine debriefing could improve ICU nurses’ care experience during the organ donation process.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2024 16:56
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/170906

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