Successful Collaboration: A Tale of a Tertiary Care Hospital and Its Designated Organ Procurement Organization

The death of a child is a tragedy of astronomical proportions. Pediatric trauma patients often have injuries so extensive that there is no hope of recovery. Though the tragedy can never be undone, organ donation can save lives and create a legacy for the donor and their loved ones. Organ donation is a multi-factorial and dynamic process that is further complicated in the case of pediatric trauma patients due to the sudden-onset and intense emotions experienced by the patient's family. A critical factor in the success of organ donation is the collaborative relationship between a hospital and its respective Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). Successful organ donation relies on this relationship, as neither entity can achieve this goal on its own. By examining the relationship between Saint Francis Children's Hospital in Tulsa, OK, and its OPO, LifeShare, this paper argues that a strong, collaborative relationship between a hospital and its OPO can maximize the rates of organ referrals and donations, thereby increasing the available supply of pediatric donors who have passed away.