Culture Change Initiatives in the Procurement of Organs in the United Kingdom

In 2004, the United Kingdom began for the first time a systematic, countrywide initiative to increase organ donations. The approach, based on international research and with consultation from the United States, entailed encouraging the early identification and referral of potential donors, training critical care physicians in breaking bad news and in collaborating with donor coordinators, training coordinators in donation conversation skills, and getting them in to speak with families. The strategy represented a large culture change in the procurement of organs in the United Kingdom and has met resistance. However, the change has started to take hold and, despite a dramatic and unexpected 21% reduction in potential brain stem death donors over a 4-year period, is showing positive results. Herein we have described the historical model for procuring organs in the United Kingdom, the development of the new strategy, its components, and the results of its implementation, in terms of earlier referrals, the identification of non–heart-beating donors, the collaboration between physicians and coordinators in speaking with families and in converted donors.