Factors relating to consent for organ donation: Prospective data on potential organ donors

Abstract

Background: Obtaining family consent to organ donation is a significant obstacle to improving further Australian deceased organ donation rates. Currently, neither the consent rates for donors eligible to donate after circulatory death, nor factors that influence decision to decline or consent to donation in general are known in Australia. Methods: This study at four university teaching hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria, examined consecutive patients where organ donation was discussed with the family Results: A total of 123 cases were identified; the family consent rate was 52.8%, and 34.1% proceeded to donation. Consent to donation was related to potential donor factors such as country of bir..