Families often refuse organ donation in the UK

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – The largest barrier to
improving organ donation rates in the UK is refusal by
relatives. In a new study, 41 percent of the families of
potential donors denied consent.

To investigate the reasons for non-donation from potential
donors, Dr. Chris Rudge and colleagues, from UK Transplant in
Bristol, reviewed all deaths that occurred in intensive care
units from April 2003 to March 2005.

Of 46,801 patients who died, 2740 were potential
beating-heart organ donors. Only 1244 became actual donors,
according to the report in the British Medical Journal.

ICU staff appeared to be comfortable in approaching
families about donation. Ninety-four percent of families with a
potential donor were asked about consent for donation.

As noted, 41 percent of families refused donation, the most
common reasons being not wanting surgery to the body,
uncertainty about the patient’s own wishes, and a difference of
opinion between family members.

Donor race, but not sex or age, seemed to affect the
families’ decision. The refusal rate for families of donors
from ethnic minorities was 70 percent, twice the rate observed
for families of white donors.

The researchers believe that transplantation rates in the
UK could increase come September when a new law, the Human
Tissue Act, goes into effect, making the donor’s wishes
paramount.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, May 13, 2006.