ICU Workshop on Brain Death and Organ Donation at JJ Hospital, Mumbai

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  Lamp lighting ceremony at ICU Workshop, JJ Hospital

  

  Dr. Rahul Pandit talking about donor maintenance

  

  Dr. Vernon Velho talking about Brian Death Identification

  

  Ms. Ashtekar Talking about the legal process of Organ Donation

  

  Group photo of Panelists and Speakers of the ICU Workshop, JJ hospital

  The ICU Workshop on Brain Death and Organ Donation, jointly organized by the Department of Anaesthesia at Sir JJ Group of Hospitals and MOHAN Foundation on 19^th August 2023, aimed to educate healthcare professionals about the concepts, processes, and challenges associated with organ donation, particularly in cases of brain death. The event featured a series of presentations, discussions, and activities led by prominent medical experts and professionals in the field.

  The event commenced with Ms. Jaya Jairam from MOHAN Foundation delivering a comprehensive presentation on the concepts and significance of organ donation. She also addressed the vital aspect of grief counseling and the art of approaching families for organ donation. Dr. Priyanka Dhaytadak from JJ Hospital and Dr. S.V. Abhyankar from Masina Hospital discussed the importance and procedure of tissue donation, specifically focusing on eye and skin donation, through informative presentations.

  Dr. Vernon Velho from JJ Hospital provided a detailed presentation elucidating the identification and certification of brain stem death. This was followed by a simulation film on brain stem death testing, presented by MOHAN Foundation, and an interactive activity demonstrating brain death by Dr. Sunil Shroff from MOHAN Foundation. Dr. Rahul Pandit from Sir H.N. Reliance Hospital gave insights into the maintenance of a brain-dead potential donor through a well-structured presentation.

  A video presentation on "Right and wrong approaches to family counseling" was presented by MOHAN Foundation, followed by Dr. Rahul Pandit's discussion on common pitfalls and practical considerations in brain death certifications. Dr. Sunil Shroff further elaborated on the current scenario of organ donation in India, backed by data and insights, and conducted an activity illustrating the deceased donation pathway.

  Dr. Bhalchandra Chikhalkar from JJ Hospital discussed the intricacies of organ donation in medico-legal cases through an insightful presentation. The event culminated in a panel discussion, where various experts shared their perspectives on the way forward for enhancing organ donation practices in hospitals. The panel discussion involved addressing pertinent questions:

  • Dr. Dileep Gawari discussed the challenges faced by hospitals in implementing organ donation protocols.
  • Dr. Rewat Kaninde explored the possibility of appointing nodal officers in different departments to streamline organ donation procedures.
  • Dr. Kundan Gosavi questioned the implementation of death audits in the ICU and their relation to potential brain-dead cases.
  • Dr. Vernon Velho shed light on the reasons for the relatively low number of organ donations in the hospital.
  • Dr. Bakhshi inquired about the process of breaking the news of brain death to families and the separation of brain death from organ donation discussions.
  • Dr. Kundan Gosavi asked about taking a leadership role in driving organ donation initiatives and the required support.
  • Dr. Vernon Velho shared his vision for the hospital's deceased organ donation scenario in the next 5 to 10 years.
  • Dr. Bakhshi questioned the historical impact of organ donations at JJ Hospital.
  • Dr. Rewat Kaninde highlighted the administrative focus areas in driving organ donation efforts.

  The workshop concluded with a valedictory note and a vote of thanks, acknowledging the valuable contributions of all participants, speakers, and organizers. The event successfully provided a platform for sharing knowledge, addressing challenges, and fostering a collective commitment to improving organ donation practices in healthcare settings. Around 160 medical professionals participated in the workshop.

  
  
  Source-Ms. Shamika Singh