[Role of nurses for donor's families: current issue of organ transplant in the United States].

To define the roles of donor coordinators (certified procurement transplant coordinators; CPTCs), we visited University of Florida Colleges of Nursing and Medicine and certified procurement transplant interviewed (CPTCs) and clinical specialists in pediatric critical care. Recipients were dealt with certified clinical transplant coordinators (CCTCs). These coordinators are certified by taking examinations to see if they are equipped with specialized knowledge and communication skills. The small number of organs available for transplant poses a serious problem. In many cases, medical personnel are not proficient enough to recommend organ donations to the family members of potential donors. Thus, the role of CPTC includes education of health professionals. In one study, 95% of the donor family members felt that hospital staff members explained about transplantation well, while 67% of the nondonor family members felt the same. The concept of "brain death" was not fully understood by some of the latter. The timing and place of discussion as well as the skill levels of medical staffs (preferably CPTCs) were important in receiving the consent. It is necessary for the donor family members to understand the concept of "death". Communications between the hospital staff and family members are critical. In Japan, there is no solid foundation for pediatric organ transplantation. Specialized nurses in pediatrics are limited. Further, there is meager certification programs for CPTCs or CCTCs. Under the present state, nurses in ICU and pediatric wards may act as potential coordinators. Education of these nurses will be critical to increase the number of pediatric organ transplantation.