Perioperative nurses participating in multi-organ procurement surgery

Abstract

Worldwide, the procedure of multi-organ procurement surgery has made a huge impact in both extending and enhancing the quality of life for recipient patients. Perioperative nurses play a vital role in procuring organs from both paediatric and adult cadaver organ donors. The nature of the surgical procedure for procuring organs, the urgency of coordinating surgical procurement teams and the removal of organs for urgent transplantation to awaiting recipients is fast-paced and technical. At times the experience evokes emotions which have the potential to traumatically impact on nurses and health professionals participating in the procedure. There is a dearth of research literature globally and within the Australian context which examines the roles, contributions and effect of participation in multi-organ procurement surgery by perioperative nurses. The aim of this paper is to explore and discuss the various issues pertinent to the work of perioperative nurses assisting in multi-organ procurement surgery. A review of the literature on perioperative nurses' involvement in organ donation, procurement, transplantation and the emergence of donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors is included. The recent changes by the Australian government in initiating a national approach to increasing donation rates and providing support to health professionals working in this area of practice provide a timely backdrop for further research into the role perioperative nurses play in supporting organ transplantation. The perioperative nurse remains pivotal to successful multi-organ procurement procedures and a greater understanding of how to support these nurses within the work environment is essential. A more detailed knowledge of the perioperative nurse's experience in this area is essential if healthcare organisations are to equip themselves to manage the unique nature of procurement surgical work.