ACN is highlighting the important role nurses play in organ and tissue donation during DonateLife Week.
Led by the Organ and Tissue Authority, DonateLife Week (30 July-6 August) encourages Australians to register their donation decision and discuss their decision with loved ones.
Only one in three Australians have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register, despite 81 per cent believing registration of donation decisions is important (Woolcott Research 2015).
“Nearly two-thirds of our hospital workforce are nurses. Whether they are the first contact on the topic of organ donation with the family of a loved one on life support, to being involved in a transplant surgery, nurses play a pivotal role in care,” ACN Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, said.
“Such crucial roles require adequate education and training. We must invest in and support our nursing workforce. The Australian College of Nursing lends its voice to calls for ongoing development and training for clinical and professional staff involved in organ and tissue donation.
“The topic of organ donation can be a difficult discussion to have with loved ones, but it is an important one. ACN encourages Australians to engage in this conversation this week and register their donation decision. It could save a life, or several.”