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NEUROLOGY 2004;63:1955-1957
© 2004 American Academy of Neurology
Brief Communications

Standardized protocols increase organ and tissue donation rates in the neurocritical care unit

A. K. Helms, MD, M. T. Torbey, MD, MPH, L. Hacein-Bey, MD, C. Chyba, RN and P. N. Varelas, MD, PhD

From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Helms, Torbey, Hacein-Bey, and Varelas), Neurosurgery (Drs. Torbey, Hacein-Bey, and Varelas), and Radiology (Dr. Hacein-Bey), Medical College of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Donor Network (C. Chyba), Milwaukee, WI.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. P.N. Varelas, Department of Neurosurgery, Froedtert West, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226; e-mail: pvarelas{at}mcw.edu

The authors tested the effect of uncoupling and removal of the treating physician from organ and tissue donation requests on consent rates for donation in the neurocritical care unit. After a neurointensivist-led policy change, consent rates increased from 23.1 to 36.5% (odds ratio = 1.9, p = 0.01), whereas there was no change in other hospital units. This supports such a policy change and shows a positive effect of a neurointensivist on organ and tissue procurement.

Received May 5, 2004. Accepted in final form July 8, 2004.

Additional material related to this article can be found on the Neurology Web site. Go to www.neurology.org and scroll down the Table of Contents for the November 23 issue to find the title link for this article.






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