Consent rate for organ donation after brain death: A single center\u27s experience over 11.5 years

Objective: To compare different social and medical factors that affect organ donation in the intensive care units. Background: Many patient, family and hospital factors have been associated with obtaining consent for organ donation after brain death (BD). We evaluated potential factors that played a role in the consent rate in a large tertiary hospital over a period of 11.5 years. Design/Methods: We evaluated all BD declarations in our hospital between 2006 and 2017 regarding consent for donation. We cross-matched the hospital electronic medical records with the records of the local organ procurement organization to identify this population. Results: The organ procurement organization (OPO) spoke to 208 families (58.7% African American (AA), 48% female, mean age of 48.1 years). Another 43 families were never approached. There was a 72% consent rate. There was no significant relationship between sex, admission diagnosis, ICU (neuro vs. medical vs. surgical), physician specialty (neurology vs. other), time from event to BD declaration or religion and decision to donate. Families were more likely to consent to donation if the patient was non-AA (88% vs 62% if AA,