The timing of organ donation requests and who is making the request may influence a family’s decision to donate a dying relative’s organs. This is the conclusion of a BMJ study. The study found that an organ donation request should not be made at the same time as relatives are told that their relative has died or when brain stem testing takes place. The US News and World Report writes that, “whilst the results may not be surprising, implementing them might increase organ donation rates”. The U.S. Department of Health and Human services writes on its website that, “hospitals and organ procurement groups must work together to increase the number of organs available for transplant”.
BMJ in the news:
- Timing May Matter in Organ Donation Decisions – U.S. News & World Report
- Aged stroke victims ‘under-treated’ – The Press Association
- Anger at ‘needless’ breast cancer ops – Times Online, UK
- Abreast of the matter – Financial Times, UK
- Miracle diet pills no substitute for healthy lifestyle, doctors warn – The Daily Telegraph, UK
- Defining Moment: British scientists conduct the first randomised – Financial Times, UK
BMJ in blogs:
- Timing May Matter in Organ Donation Decisions – healthfinder.gov
- Older stroke patients receiving inadequate care, studies show
- Medical war against the elderly
- Healing Combat Trauma: Let’s Hope This Isn’t More
- Palliative care skills training needed for health-care staff – ScienceBlog.com, USA
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Juliet Walker is the Editorial Intern, BMJ