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Critical care in the Emergency Department: organ donation
  1. Dale C Gardiner1,
  2. Matthew S Nee2,
  3. Andrea E Wootten3,
  4. Francis J Andrews4,
  5. Samantha C Bonney5,
  6. Patrick A Nee6
  1. 1Deputy National Clinical Lead for NHS Blood and Transplant, Intensive Care Unit, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
  2. 2Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
  3. 3Emergency Department, Wirral University Hospital, Merseyside, UK
  4. 4Intensive Care Unit, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Merseyside, UK
  5. 5Department of Blood Sciences, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Merseyside, UK
  6. 6Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
  1. Correspondence to Professor Patrick A Nee, Emergency Department, Whiston Hospital, Prescot, Merseyside L35 5DR, UK; patrick.nee{at}sthk.nhs.uk

Abstract

Organ transplantation is associated with improved outcomes for some patients with end-stage organ failure; however, the number of patients awaiting a transplant exceeds the available organs. Recently, an extended role has been proposed for EDs in the recognition and management of potential donors. The present review presents an illustrative case report and considers current transplantation practice in the UK. Ethical and legal considerations, the classification of deceased donors and future developments promising greater numbers of organs are discussed.

  • emergency department
  • clincial management
  • forensic/legal medicine
  • intensive care

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