TY - JOUR T1 - Utilisation of an embedded specialist nurse and collaborative care pathway increases potential organ donor referrals in the emergency department JF - Emergency Medicine Journal JO - Emerg Med J SP - 228 LP - 232 DO - 10.1136/emj.2010.107334 VL - 29 IS - 3 AU - Julian Garside AU - Marie Garside AU - Simon Fletcher AU - Bruce Finlayson Y1 - 2012/03/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/29/3/228.abstract N2 - Objective To review the impact of an embedded specialist nurse in organ donation (SN:OD) and the utilisation of a collaborative care pathway on potential solid organ donor referrals in an emergency department (ED) over a 24-month period.Methods A retrospective cohort study of adult patient deaths within the department, (n=311) during a 24-month period. Referral rates to the organ donation team (ODT) were compared before and after the introduction of a SN:OD and collaborative care pathway.Results Referrals to the ODT significantly increased from three of 151 eligible patients (2%) to 26 of 160 patients (16%; χ2 test p<0.0001) following the introduction of a SN:OD into the trust. The number of patients proceeding to organ donation increased from none to two (Fisher's exact test p=1.0).Conclusions The presence of an embedded SN:OD in the ED and the adoption of a collaborative care pathway to establish clinical triggers for referral to the ODT have significantly increased the rate of referral of adult potential organ donors to organ donation services. ER -