[Tissue donation in nursing homes; a survey of the number of potential donors and the knowledge and attitude of nursing home doctors and directors].

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an impression of the tissue donor potential in Dutch nursing homes and of the knowledge and the attitude of nursing home physicians and nursing home directors with regard to tissue donation. Also, to gain insight into the problems associated with activating tissue donation in nursing homes.

DESIGN

Descriptive and inventory.

METHOD

The donor potential was calculated from data derived from the National nursing home registration system (SIVIS) in 1995. A questionnaire on the knowledge and attitude with regard to organ/tissue donation was sent to 400 randomly chosen nursing home physicians and all 323 nursing home directors.

RESULTS

Out of the 10,619 somatic patients deceased in nursing homes in 1995, 2670 (25%) would have been suitable for skin and/or cornea donation. Other patients had comorbidity regarded as a contraindication for donorship or were over 80 years of age. Of the 9771 deceased psychogeriatric patients, virtually none were suitable as tissue donors. The response to the questionnaire was 55% among nursing home physicians and 66% among nursing home directors. Both groups showed inadequate knowledge with regard to tissue donation. Most nursing home physicians (85%) took a neutral position on tissue donation in nursing homes; most directors (88%) would support tissue donation in their nursing home. The two problems that were mentioned most in having a negative influence on tissue donation in nursing homes, were: the lack of knowledge of physicians and the refusal of donation by patients.

CONCLUSION

Some 2700 somatic nursing home patients annually would be suitable for tissue donation. Determination of their willingness is necessary. Activating of tissue donation in nursing homes requires solving of the lack of knowledge.