Perception of Transplant Coordinator Regarding Relatives' Attitude Toward Tissue Donation Request

IntroductionFamily denials for tissue donation are higher than denials obtained after organ donation.ObjectivesTo find out families' perception toward tissue request as well as its relation with the degree of acceptance or denial.Materials and methodsFollowing the request for tissue donation (corneas or different tissues), a five closed-question survey was designed and immediately answered by the Transplant Coordinator. The main aim was to find out whether the request determined surprise, disapproval, understanding, knowledge, and immediacy in the decision-making process, as well as its relation with the decision to donate.ResultsOf 1751 surveys, 991 were answered and collected from 2009 to 2011, which represents a 56% from the total. Data collected relate to families 510 who donated and 481 who did not (P = NS). The fact of requesting corneas only or different tissues did not influence the answers. Surprise and disapproval variables significantly predicted refusal to donation (P = .000).ConclusionsRegardless the request type (corneas or multitissue) variables influencing the decision making when approaching families are expression of surprise and disapproval. Neither understanding the application nor existence of a prior approach to donation has any influence whatsoever in the decision-making process.