EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU

Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we delve into the ever-evolving care plan of organ, eye, and tissue donation. In this episode, we’re joined by Andi Johnson and Dr. Jordan Bonomo to explore a key recommendation from the 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report aimed at transforming organ donation and transplantation practices to create a more equitable system. Dr. Bonomo shares insights into a groundbreaking initiative—the establishment of a donor care unit within UCMC’s new Flex ICU. This innovative, first-of-its-kind model is designed to improve organ donation outcomes by providing comprehensive, compassionate care to both donors and their families. Tune in for this important conversation on enhancing the donor experience and advancing the future of organ donation.

 

Episode Highlights:

1. Introducing Dr. Jordan Bonomo. He is a physician at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He's the Medical Director of the flex ICU and a professor of Emergency Medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care. He is also the attending physician for anesthesia, critical care, and ECMO, and he's the medical director for donor management, for Network For Hope, formerly Life Center. 
2. Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity.
3. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.
4. Specialized units can focus on the needs of the donor from a physiological standpoint and the needs of the family from an emotional standpoint. This aims to provide a much more synchronized environment and holistic care for the families and adhere to the donor wishes.
5. All the staff are fully trained and they're vetted and vested at the same time in the process of donation.  The purpose is to have the best donor care unit available anywhere in the country.
6. The unit is staffed 24/7 by dedicated teams to support the mission of Network for Hope.
7. The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. Note that in the month of October, the first month of the launch of Flex ICU, there were zero patients declared brain dead in the region.
8. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.
9. The Flex ICU aims to respect the wishes of donors and families, facilitating their involvement in the donation process.
10. Dr. Bonomo discusses the potential impact of the Flex ICU on organ donation
11. The goal is to optimize the process for donors, families, and organ recipients, balancing the need for timely transplantation with the potential for increased donation.
12. Andi adds that the DCU, which is housed within the flex ICU, has been discussed as a key part of the flex ICU with providers, nurses, and physicians who will be working in this unit.
13. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role.
14. The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation.
15. The process of establishing the unit has been lengthy, involving multiple stakeholders and legal considerations.
16.  He shares that this is an organ procurement organization initiative that really is somewhat independent of the healthcare system.
17. The belief that donation can bring healing and good from tragedy has been a driving force for Dr. Bonomo.
18.  Dr. Bonomo has a strong foundation in bioethics, having earned his undergraduate degree in the field. Throughout his career, organ donation has been a central focus of his work in biomedical ethics.
19. Dr. Bonomo invites listeners to ask questions and seek education about the organ donation process.
20. The importance of accurate information and understanding the process is important for effective collaboration and support.

3 Key Points:

 

1. Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.
2. The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. So brain dead donors, and brain dead vernacular term death by neurologic criteria. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.
3. The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role.

 

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “Dr shutter explained to me that we do our best to save them, but when you can't, your obligation doesn't end, and the opportunity to donate is an absolute good when done well…” - Dr. Bonomo
2. “So the the flex ICU has been in design and development for a really long time, I mean, north of 15 years, and we've had fits and starts, and we finally were able to construct it…” - Dr. Bonomo
3. “We have teams that are dedicated to supporting the mission and network for hope, formerly Life Center…” - Dr. Bonomo
4. “I think every family is interested in knowing that their loved one is well cared for and that their wishes are being respected.” - Dr. Bonomo

Resources:

https://getoffthelist.org/

https://www.networkforhope.org/

https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

https://aopo.org/