Organ Donation
The Alfred ICU supports organ donation and has an active program for donation after brain death and donation after cardiac death.
In 2010 there were 309 organ donors throughout all hospitals in Australia. Of these, 23 were identified at the Alfred Hospital. The offer of donation from these 19 individuals resulted in life saving heart, lung, liver, pancreas and kidney transplants for 70 severely ill and dying patients, in addition to many tissue transplants. Although the majority of donors at the Alfred Hospital are patients who have become brain dead after severe neurological injury, since 2006 the Alfred Hospital has also been able to offer organ donation to suitable patients who die following cessation of the circulation. This allows staff at The Alfred ICU to ensure that organ and tissue donation and the opportunity to help others through transplantation, are offered as a routine part of palliative care to the families of all dying patients.
The Alfred ICU has a long history of involvement with organ donation. Prof Carlos Scheinkestel, Prof Jamie Cooper and A/Prof David Tuxen were part of the original authors of the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Guideline for Organ Donation. A/Prof Andrew Davies spearheaded Donation after Cardiac Death at the Alfred in 2006 and continues in an advisory role today.
Organ and tissue donation activities at The Alfred Hospital are currently led and coordinated by Hospital-based Medical Directors of Organ and Tissue Donation: Dr Alvin Teo, Dr Steve Philpot and A/Prof David Pilcher; as well as Hospital-based Nurses led by Ms Shena Graham.
We raise awareness of, and provide educational services on organ and tissue donation for all local and outreach medical, nursing and allied health staff who come into contact with the donation process. We also facilitate the processes of organ and tissue donation with formulation of protocols and guidelines with multi-disciplinary input. In the spirit of sharing knowledge and experience, one of the Hospital-based Nurse positions is designed as a seconded rotating position. Nurses with an interest in organ donation can join us for a limited period to increase their knowledge and skills and participate in our activities now and in the future.
We participate heavily in Donatelife activities both regionally and nationally and have an active research presence. Our team comprise recognized experts who have been invited to share our hospital experience with other institutions who are in the process of setting up similar programs. In addition to their hospital roles, David Pilcher is also a Medical Advisor to DonateLife in Victoria and Shena Graham was seconded to the NHMRC's, National Institute of Clinical Studies as the project officer to support development of the National Protocol for Donation after Cardiac Death
More information on organ donation can be found at:
Downloads for Health Professionals
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ANZOD 2009 Summary Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 80 KBRelated Courses
Alfred ICU Courses