The impact of checking the Australian Organ Donor Register on family consent rates.

TO THE EDITOR: Knowledge of the deceased's wishes and the processes involved in requesting organ donation increases the likelihood of family consenting to donation. 1 Australian research has found that many people who register consent for organ donation do not discuss it with family members. 2 Others discuss their intentions with their family but choose not to register. Since the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority was established in 2009, extensive resources have gone into raising awareness of organ donation, of which the costs of maintaining the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) represent a tiny fraction. Decision-making methods, the number of people present when donation is requested, and family knowledge of their relative's registered consent may all affect the likelihood of family consent. 3,4 Checking the AODR is recommended before discussions with family about donation, but it is unknown how this influences a family's decision.