Understanding the Donor Pathway

This module is part of The Recipient and Living Donor Coordinator training, which provides essential knowledge for NHS staff involved in the organ donation process. It provides a comprehensive overview of the critical steps involved in the organ donation process, from initial assessment to family support. You'll explore the intricacies of donor characterisation, physical assessment techniques, and the delicate process of approaching families for consent. By understanding the complexities of each stage, including donor optimisation and ongoing family support, you'll gain insight into the crucial role of Specialist Nurses in Organ Donation (SNODs) and how you can support their work in facilitating successful organ donations.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the key steps in donor characterisation, including medical history review, laboratory tests, and imaging analysis.

2. Explain the systematic physical assessment process performed on potential donors and its importance in organ viability assessment.

3. Outline the Approach Framework used when communicating with families about organ donation.

4. Distinguish between the types of consent in organ donation and understand the legal and ethical considerations involved.

5. Summarise the final steps in the donor pathway, including donor optimisation techniques and family support.

This module will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.