Journal of vascular nursing : official publication of the Society for Peripheral Vascular Nursing
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Review Case Reports
Non-heart-beating organ donation: Issues and ethics for the critical care nurse.
Non-heart-beating organ donation is an important topic that continues to be misunderstood by many health care professionals. As organ transplantation has become an accepted mode of treatment for end-stage organ failure, the need for organs has increased. ⋯ The author will review the history of organ donation, focusing on the process of non-heart-beating organ donation. A patient case study is presented to facilitate understanding of the critical care nursing role essential to the success of this process that can provide a positive outcome for families involved in very tragic situations.