Importance of Continuing Education for Medical Staff to Improve the Confirmation Rate of Intent for Organ Donation

Abstract Background Among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, the number of cadaveric donors per population is the lowest in Japan. The present study investigated whether a continuing educational intervention for medical staff, such as Donor Action Program (DAP) that is aimed at increasing the number of cadaveric donors, improved the confirmation rate of organ donation in potential donors. Material and Methods We studied 2 hospitals with emergency centers in Toyama, Japan. DAP was conducted 2 to 3 times each year. We extracted mortality cases recorded in the emergency care departments of each hospital for over 10 years between 2007, prior to DAP’s implementation, and 2017 to examine the confirmation rate of the intent of the families of potential donors for organ donation and the timing and methods for confirming intent to donate in cases that resulted in organ donation. Results The confirmation rate increased after the introduction of DAP and remained high (over 80%) in both hospitals after 2012. Regarding actual organ donation, some patients were asked by staff about their intent when they became potential donors in addition to the hospitalization intake form; it was offered by family members of some of the patients. Conclusion Regular educational training on organ donation improved the confirmation rate of potential organ donors’ donation intention. For organ donation, medical practitioners must take the appropriate steps to confirm the patient’s intent to donate when he/she is determined as a potential donor.