Evaluation of Intensivists’ Knowledge on Brain Death* Avaliação do Conhecimento de Intensivistas sobre Morte Encefálica

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Failure or delay to diagnose brain death leads to needless occupation of a hospital bed, emotional and fi nancial losses, and unavailability of organs for transplants. The intensive care physician plays an essential role in this diagnosis. This study intended to evaluate intensivists’ knowledge concerning brain death. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 15 intensive care units (ICU) in eight hospitals in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-six intensivists were interviewed in a consecutive sample between April and December 2005. The prevalence of lack of knowledge regarding the concept was of 17%. Twenty per cent of the interviewees ignored the legal need for complementary confi rmatory tests for their diagnosis. Forty-seven per cent considered themselves Evaluation of Intensivists’ Knowledge on Brain Death*