Forensic Nursing Implications for Organ and Tissue Transplantation

Abstract

Most critical care nurses are aware of the clinical protocols that relate to organ and tissue recovery and transplantation. However, few understand the forensic or legal implications. The shortage of transplantable organs and tissue has prompted the development of a national network for recovering and allocating of suitable organs. Rigorous federal and state laws address the myriad of issues about medicolegal or forensic issues associated with the processes involved in retrieval and use of human organs and tissues. This article describes unique contributions of the forensic nurse in ensuring that medical and legal requirements are appropriately addressed.

The Intersection of Death Investigation and Organ Donation Systems: A Scoping Review

“…Articles based in California, Colorado, and Texas all express consistent and early communication (6,9 -11). b Includes national, California, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas papers (2,6,9,10,12). c Includes national and Nevada papers (1,8,10).…”

“… c Includes national and Nevada papers (1,8,10). d Includes national and New York, Colorado, and California papers (1,8,10 -13). e Includes national and New York, Tennessee, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, and San Diego County, California papers (2,8,11,12,14 -16).…”

“… d Includes national and New York, Colorado, and California papers (1,8,10 -13). e Includes national and New York, Tennessee, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, and San Diego County, California papers (2,8,11,12,14 -16). f The national papers express both medical and legal DIs having authority of the final donation decision (2,17).…”

“… g The national papers express that the DI may or may not consistently attend recovery (1,2,7,17). The DI will attend in New Jersey, Texas, and California (2,10,12). The DI will not attend in New York (13).…”

“… e Includes national and New York, Tennessee, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, and San Diego County, California papers (2,8,11,12,14 -16). …”