On October 28, 2022, MOHAN Foundation (MF) was invited to conduct a hands-on training workshop on Deceased Organ Donation (DOD) at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram. Dr. Anjali Kaul, Deputy Chief Medical Services & Medical Superintendent, Artemis Hospital, saw the need to educate the nursing and social work staff of the hospital on deceased organ donation. She then approached Ms. Pallavi Kumar, Executive Director, MOHAN Foundation, NCR, about organising such a workshop, who agreed to do it. Dr. Muneet Kaur Sahi, Programme Manager, MF, NCR was the other resource person.

The goal of the workshop was to describe the role of a deceased donor transplant coordinator in the DOD process, as well as to develop knowledge of the appropriate approach to counselling in dealing with brain-death and medico-legal cases (MLC) in the organ donation process. The training also aimed at training the participants to monitor family dynamics and to ensure that they identify and respond to family needs. Attendees included nursing staff from the intensive care units (general & neurology), patient care support services,  nursing educators, psychologist, and security personnel.

To break the ice, Dr. Muneet began by inviting the participants to introduce themselves. She then explained about the concepts of organ donation – who can donate, types of donation,  brain-death and circulatory death, various steps involved in brain-death declaration and also clarified the concept of legal death.

Ms. Pallavi then explained the role of a deceased donor transplant coordinator in the process of organ donation. She explained the five stages of grief and how to approach and counsel the family of a brain-dead patient to encourage them to donate the organs of their deceased loved one and save other lives. A film on counselling the families of potential organ donors – the right and the wrong approach was also shown for better clarity and understanding.

Dr. Muneet then gave a detailed explanation of the Forms of the THO and Tissues Rules, 2014 that are used in deceased organ donation and medico-legal cases.

Ms. Pallavi then discussed four of the most common case scenarios often encountered by a deceased donor transplant coordinator in order to familiarise the participants with the  challenges of coordinating such cases and how to address them. During the discussion, participants shared their perspectives and understanding of each case.

The following queries were asked by the participants

• Do all hospitals document consent forms in accordance with the transplant law?
• Why do families deny organ donation? Is it motivated by feelings or something else?
• What cases come under medico-legal cases?
• Can Consent Form be used in routine practise in a brain-dead case? At least the denial can be documented.

Close to 16 participants attended the workshop.