Biovigilance in the process of organ and tissue donation during the pandemic: challenges for nurses

Objective  to identify the strategies developed by nurses capable of maintaining biovigilance in the process of organ and tissue donation in order to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among donors, recipients and health care teams.

Method  an exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, supported by the theoretical framework on biovigilance of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. Data were collected using an online form composed of open questions. Fifty-two nurses who work in the structures of the National Transplant System participated. The data was analyzed by Content Analysis.

Results  it was identified that the monitoring and control of the donation process, based on the clinical investigation of the potential donor and on the family and community investigation, as well as the modification of the safety culture in the institution, through the development of protocols and guidelines for the care of the potential donor, were strategies developed by nurses during the pandemic in order to maintain patient safety.

Conclusion and practice implications  the strategies developed by the nurses were the monitoring and control of possible risks related to the contamination of the potential donor by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the modification of the safety culture through the development and implementation of protocols, in order to ensure the continuity of donation and transplantation of organs and tissues, ensuring safety and quality in this process.

Keywords:
Coronavirus Infections; Patient Safety; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Transplants; Nursing