Prog Transplant
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The organ procurement coordinator commonly must correct and maintain the arterial blood pressure during donor care. This article reviews considerations in the accurate measurement of the blood pressure, causes of hypertension and hypotension, and desirable standards to use in order to provide adequate organ perfusion. Recommendations are presented for treatment of hypotension in a titrated response of intravenous fluids, inotropic support, and vasopressor infusion to maintain the mean arterial pressure above 65 mm Hg. Collaborative interaction between the coordinator and physician consultant remains important throughout management of blood pressure changes during donor care.
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Previous research has identified specific fears and concerns among the general public about organ and tissue donation. However, little to none of that research has dealt with fears and concerns at the time of the donation discussion. ⋯ Subsequently, the fears and concerns were classified in 4 groups: often heard and easy to deal with, often heard and hard to deal with, seldom heard and easy to deal with, seldom heard and hard to deal with. The results can be used to stimulate further research on family fears and concerns, to train and retrain coordinators to address those concerns in the donation discussion, and to improve existing strategies for increasing organ and tissue donation.