Actions carried out by the Institution have boosted the numbers
Good news for PUCRS’ São Lucas Hospital (HSL): from 2018 to 2019, it has seen an increase of 33% in the number of organ donations. Family refusal rates at the institution has reached 25%, which is a relatively low number when compared to Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil rates, which are around 40%. These numbers have made HSL the private hospital with the largest number of brain deaths and organ donations in Porto Alegre, being a reference in this area.
The Organ Search Organization (OPO-2) coordinates all donation procedures at HSL, as it works on the early identification of potential donors and, especially, on family care. Caring for families is a major concern, especially with donors: “OPO helps families to make the wisest decision about organ donation, based on empathy and respect. The treatment provided to the family since the moment they arrive at the hospital with their relative has a significant impact when whether or not to donate,” nurse Dagoberto Rocha says.
As stated in the Brazilian law, organ donation needs to be authorized by the family, that is, family members will be contacted by OPO if the relative’s organs, at the time of death, could be potentially donated. As previously mentioned, currently in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul, 40% of families do not authorize organ donation after the death of their family member. Most of them are not aware of the deceased’s wishes, problems with the treatment provided at the hospital and lack of understanding of brain death – which is the total and irreversible loss of all brain function.
In order to disseminate information and provide better services for potential donor families, OPO-2 conducts workshops, courses and lectures. Another initiative is the Training Program for Brain Death Determination – for medical doctors – which provides training to professionals to diagnose the condition, as recommended by the Federal Medical Board.
