Swedish Intensive Care Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Views on Donation After Circulatory Death Before a National Implementation

• Introduction: An increasing population and a shortage of identified potential organ donors are causing the waiting list fororgan transplants to grow continuously. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is a method aimed at meeting the demandfor transplantable organs. However, it presents new challenges in nursing care, and there is a lack of studies investigatingnurses’ attitudes and knowledge of DCD.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine and describe intensive care nurses’ (ICNs’) knowledge, attitudes,and views on DCD before a national implementation in Sweden.Method: This study utilized a cross-sectional mixed-method design. A convenience sampling method was employed, targetingICNs working in four intensive care units in Sweden. A study-specific tool comprising fixed and free-text questions was developed.Fifty-one ICNs participated. Data were analyzed descriptively, and correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’scorrelation. Free-text answers were qualitatively assessed and analyzed. An integrated analysis was conducted to synthesizethe quantitative and qualitative findings.Results: Fifty-three percent reported limited knowledge about DCD. Nurses with previous education on DCD had significantlyhigher knowledge (r=.380, p=.006), were more engaged with the public debate on organ donation (r =.423, p=.002),and considered the ethical aspects of DCD more thoroughly (r=.386, p=.022). The qualitative analysis identified four keycategories: The importance of the team, the need for ethical discussions, increased knowledge of DCD, and unanswered questions andunmet needs. The integrated analysis underscored the need for targeted education, clear guidelines, and ongoing ethical discussionsto prepare ICU nurses for DCD.Conclusion: Nurses educated in organ donor care had better knowledge and a more positive attitude toward DCD implementation.The study also highlights the importance of interprofessional teamwork in DCD implementation. The findings suggest that education on DCD could improve the identification and implementation of DCD donors, addressing the globalshortage of transplantable organs.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

donation after circulatory death

organ donation

intensive care nurse

attitudes

knowledge

Vårdvetenskap

Care science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

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