The MOHAN Foundation, in collaboration with the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), Chennai Branch, successfully conducted a full-day workshop on the Role of Intensive Care in Deceased Donation on March 22, 2025, at the Ramada Hotel in Egmore, Chennai. This workshop was supported by TRANSTAN (The Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu) and endorsed by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics - Intensive Care Chapter, Tamil Nadu Branch.
The success of a deceased donation program relies on ICU professionals' leadership in donor identification, management, and family engagement. This workshop aimed to enhance their expertise, equipping them to effectively implement deceased donation programs in their institutions. The event drew approximately 40 dedicated medical professionals from diverse regions including Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Puducherry, reflecting the widespread interest and commitment to advancing deceased donation practices.
Inaugural ceremony:
The program began with the traditional lamp lighting by Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Member Secretary of TRANSTAN, Dr Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee, MOHAN Foundation, Dr. Sathya. A.C, Chairperson, ISCCM - Chennai Branch, Dr Ram Rajagopalan, Senior Consultant, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Dr. R Raghavendran, Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Madras Medical College.
Scientific sessions:
Dr Sunil Shroff subsequently delivered a comprehensive presentation on “Overview of Deceased Donation in India”, underscoring the pressing need for organ donation, addressing prevailing challenges. The subsequent sessions, led by esteemed visiting faculty, delved into the intricacies of deceased and brain death donation, fostering a dynamic environment of interactive discussions and knowledge exchange.
Dr R Raghavendran, Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Madras Medical College, discussed the evolving understanding and manifestations of death. He provided insights into the determination of brain death, outlining key considerations for conducting apnoea test. Additionally, he addressed the indications for ancillary tests, and their role in brain death certification.
Dr Ramesh Venkataraman (Senior Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai) spoke on the management of a brainstem dead donor. He explained the physiological changes following brain death and the importance of optimizing the donor to maximize organ utilization for transplantation.
Dr Kalaimaram Sadasivam (Head of Department and Senior Consultant, Paediatric Critical Care Services, MGM Healthcare, Chennai), spoke on pediatric brain death testing. He outlined the indications for brain death assessment and the recommended intervals between tests. Emphasizing the importance of family involvement, he underscored the need for clear communication to ensure their understanding and acceptance of the diagnosis.
Prof. Dr. Rahul Pandit (Chair, Critical Care, Reliance Foundation Hospital and all other Reliance Foundation Healthcare Initiatives), delivered a talk on ‘Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD).’ He provided an in-depth analysis of the Organ Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death in India: A Joint Position Paper and elaborated on the procedures involved in the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST). Additionally, he discussed the recent Supreme Court judgment, carefully explaining its implications for hospitals, doctors, families, and the organ donation process.
Dr. Devachandran Jayakumar (Critical Care Consultant, Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai), presented real-life cases highlighting the challenges in certifying brain death, managing unstable donors, and ensuring the family's understanding of the diagnosis.
Ms. Sujatha Suriyamoorthi spoke on grief counselling, emphasizing the importance of clear and compassionate communication with families regarding poor prognosis and death. A few case case scenarios were discussed, illustrating the complexities involved in family conversations and the importance of sensitive communication. A simulation video on Family Conversation was presented, followed by a discussion to analyze effective communication strategies.
The scientific sessions were moderated by esteemed faculty members, including
Workshop Activities:
The program featured hands-on activities that encouraged interactive discussions and provided practical learning opportunities, enhancing participants' understanding and skills in key aspects of deceased organ donation.
Brain Death Forms (2-4-6-8-10): This activity focused on the legal framework governing deceased organ donation, providing participants with practical exposure to the necessary legal forms and key personnel involved in brain death certification and family consent.
Deceased organ donation pathway: The session emphasized the structured, step-by-step process involved in deceased organ donation, ensuring a seamless and ethical approach. It covered key stages, including identifying potential donors, certifying brain death, family counselling, coordinating medico-legal procedures, coordinating with state organ distribution body, organ retrieval coordination, and post-donation care.
Dead or Not Dead: An online interactive quiz activity focused on diagnosing death using neurological criteria was conducted. Each question prompted in-depth discussions, encouraging participants to critically analyze clinical scenarios, enhance their understanding of brain death determination.
Role allocation: The exercise aimed to help participants recognize the significance of role allocation in the ICU, ensuring clear responsibilities among the ICU consultant, junior doctor, nurse, and transplant coordinator.
The event successfully achieved its objectives, promoting a deeper understanding of the critical role of intensive care in deceased organ donation. The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates and a commemorative group photograph, marking the end of a highly informative and impactful day.
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