The number of organs being recovered for transplantation is increasing. Potential organ donors require a team of clinicians who possess expertise and skills to optimize organ function, coordinate care, and minimize potential conflicts of interest. Organ donation support teams are a unique way to provide these services, and nurse practitioners are well poised to provide this specialized care as part of these teams. This article reviews the emerging role nurse practitioners play as members of the organ donation support team. Nurse practitioners support potential organ donors by optimizing organs before donation. They apply their specialized clinical knowledge and skills to support patient care, coordinate care, and perform documentation. As organ donation continues to expand, nurse practitioners who are willing to participate on the organ donation support team need specific knowledge to support organs for transplant.
Despite scientific advancements, demand for life-saving organs continues to outpace supply. Together, hospitals and organ procurement organizations facilitate deceased organ donations; however, a lack of structured inpatient processes and quality improvement mechanisms for potential donor management can lead to delayed referrals by organ procurement organizations, physiological instability, and suboptimal donation outcomes. Goal-directed strategies applied during the inpatient and preprocurement phases of care can significantly increase the number and quality of organs recovered. The aim of this nurse-driven, evidence-based practice quality improvement project was to optimize clinical management and implement accountability measures for adults in the intensive care unit with catastrophic brain injury who are potential organ donors. Within 6 months, the multidimensional change initiative yielded clinically significant improvements across nearly all quality indicators, demonstrating that hospitals can simultaneously support clinical recovery, preserve a legacy for the deceased, and extend hope for renewed life through proactive potential donor care.
A strong working relationship between nurse practitioners and registered nurses is essential for strengthening staff morale and a collaborative learning environment. Within our academic health system, leaders are expected to support collaboration while striving for exceptional quality care and sustained staff engagement in a transplant unit. In recent years, through strong nursing leadership, clear goals, and shared ownership, we have improved quality metrics and strengthened nurse practitioner-registered nurse collaboration. Upholding these principles has enabled the team to consistently deliver safe, high-quality care while enhancing outcomes for both patients and staff. This article highlights the evolution of effective team building on an acute solid organ transplant unit, emphasizing shared professional goals, engagement, accountability, and the application of high-reliability organization principles. Leadership-driven interventions centered on communication, collaboration, transparency, respect, and role clarity have positively influenced patient experience, job satisfaction, and staff wellness.
