Gerardo Muñoz

Knowledge of the brain death concept by personnel in Spanish and Latin-American healthcare centers

Background The knowledge and acceptance of the concept of brain death (BD) among health care personnel is fundamental. Objective To analyze the level of understanding of the BD concept among personnel in Spanish and Latin American healthcare centers and to determine the factors affecting this attitude. Material and methods Data from 12 hospitals and 32 primary care centers in 4 countries within the International Collaborative Donor Project were selected (Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica (n = 4378)). Results 62% of the personnel (n = 2714) understood BD and believed that this was the death of an individual. Of the rest, 30% (n = 1 333) did not understand it and the remaining 8% (n = 331) believed it did not mean the death of a patient. 83% (n = 931) of physicians understood BD, compared to 75% (n = 895) of nurses, 55% (n = 299) of healthcare assistants, 53% (n = 108) of non-healthcare university-educated personnel and 36% (n = 481) of those without a university education (p<0.001). 68% (n = 1084) of Mexicans understood BD compared to 66% (n = 134) of Cubans, 58% (n = 1411) of Spaniards, and 52% (n = 85) (p<0.001) of Costa Ricans. There were significant relationships between knowledge of the concept and the following: type of healthcare center (p<0.001), clinical service (p<0.001), having spoken about organ donation within the family (p<0.001) and ones partners attitude to the subject (p<0.001). A direct relationship has been found between understanding the concept and attitude toward deceased donation (p<0.001). Conclusions The understanding of BD by personnel from healthcare centers was not as good as expected. There were marked differences depending on job category.

Level of acceptance of solid organ xenotransplantation among personnel in Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban hospitals

Xenotransplantation is still a long way from becoming a clinical reality. However, in an emergency situation, it could be used as a bridge for replacing vital organs until the arrival of a human organ. To analyze the attitude toward xenotransplantation among hospital personnel from several hospitals in Spain and Latin America.

Opinion toward living liver donation of hospital personnel from units related to organ donation and transplantation: a multicenter study from Spain and latin-america.

Background: Hospital personnel of services related to donation and transplantation process play a fundamental role in the development of transplantation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude toward living liver donation (LLD) among hospital personnel from services related to donation and transplantation in hospital centers in Spain and Latin America. Materials and Methods: Eight hospitals within the “International Donor Collaborative Project” were selected, three in Spain, three in Mexico and two in Cuba. The study was performed in transplant-related services, using a randomized sample, which was stratified by the type of service and job category. Results: In total, 878 workers were surveyed of which 82% (n = 720) were in favor of related LLD, 10% (n = 90) were against and 8% (n = 68) undecided. Attitudes toward related LLD were more favorable in the following groups: the Latin Americans (86% in favor vs. 77% among the Spanish; P = 0.007); younger people (37 vs. 40 years, P = 0.002); those in favor of either deceased donation (P < 0.001) or living kidney donation (P < 0.001); those who believed that they might need a transplant in the future (P < 0.001); those who would accept a liver from a living donor (P < 0.001); those who discussed the subject of donation and transplantation with their families (P = 0.040); and those whose partner was in favor of donation and transplantation (P = 0.044). Conclusions: Personnel from donation and transplantation-related units had a favorable attitude toward LLD. This attitude was not affected by psychosocial factors, although it was influenced by factors directly and indirectly related to the donation and transplantation process.

The attitude toward living kidney donation among personnel from units related to donation and transplantation in Spain, Mexico and Cuba.

Abstract Background: Living kidney donation (LKD) is becoming increasingly necessary as a treatment option for reducing the deficit in transplant organs. Hospital personnel in services related to donation and transplantation play a key role in promoting this kind of donation. Objective: To analyze the attitude toward LKD among hospital workers in services related to donation and transplantation in Spain and Latin America. Methods: Eight hospitals in the “International Collaborative Donor Project” were selected (Spain–Mexico–Cuba). A random sample was taken which was stratified according to the type of service and job category, in transplant-related services. Results: Of the 878 respondents, 90% were in favor of related LKD, and 28% were in favor if the LKD was not related. Attitude was more favorable among Latin Americans workers compared to the Spanish (p = 0.014). Other factors associated to attitude included: age (p = 0.004); an attitude in favor of deceased donation and living liver donation (p < 0.001); and acceptance of a kidney from a donor (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The attitude toward related LKD was very favorable among hospital personnel in units related to the donation and transplantation process in Spain and Latin America, which means that they could contribute to its promotion particularly at the current time when living kidney donation needs to be expanded.

El personal no sanitario de hospitales españoles y latinoamericanos ante la donación de vivo renal relacionada

INTRODUCTION Ancillary hospital personnel represent an important body of opinion because as they work in a hospital their opinion has more credibility for the general public as a result of their activity in hospitals. However, in most cases they do not have any health care training which means that their attitude could be based on a lack of knowledge or unfounded fears. OBJECTIVE To analyze the attitude toward living kidney donation (LKD) among ancillary personnel in Spanish and Latin-American hospitals and to analyze the variables that might influence such attitude. PATIENTS AND METHOD from «International Collaborative Donor Project» a random sample was taken among ancillary personnel in Spain, Mexico and Cuba hospitals. Attitude towards LKD was evaluated using a validated, anonymously filled and self-administered survey. RESULTS 951 professionals were surveyed (Spain: 277, Mexico: 632, Cuba: 42). 89% (n=850) are in favor of related kidney donation, lowering to 31% (n=289) in non-related donation. Of the rest, 8% (n=78) are not in favor and the 3% (n=23) are unsure. By country, Cubans (98%) and Mexicans (91%) are more in favour than Spanish (84%) (P=.001). The following variables are related to favourable attitude towards LKD: female sex (P=.017), university degree (P=.010), work in health services (P=.035), labour stability (P=.016), personal experience in donation and transplantation (P=.001), positive attitude toward cadaveric donation (P<.001), belief that he or she might need a transplant in the future (P<.001), positive attitude towards living liver donation (P<.001), a willingness to receive a donated living liver if needed (P<.001), having discussed the subject of organ donation and transplantation within the family (P<.001), partners positive attitude towards the subject (P<.001), participation in voluntary type pro-social activities (P=.002) and not being concerned about possible mutilation after donation (P<.001) CONCLUSIONS: The attitude toward living related kidney donation is favourable among ancillary personnel in Spanish and Latin-Americans hospitals. Because living donation is a better source of organs than cadaveric ones, this favourable predisposition can be used as promoting agent of living donation in order to develop it in Spanish-speaking countries.