Evaluating a successful coroner protocol.

Abstract

The coroner release rates for the service of a particular organ procurement organization were evaluated through a retrospective analysis, which included the year before (1991), the year during (1992), and the year after (1993) the adoption of a formal protocol for coroner's cases. In 1991, 22 of 55 (40%) coroner cases were denied for donation by the coroner. In 1992 and 1993, 12 of 55 (22%) and 9 of 56 (16%) coroner cases, respectively, were denied for donation. More significantly, in 1991, 4 of 6 (67%) cases of homicidal gunshot wound to the head were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas only 1 of 13 (8%) such cases were denied in 1993. Also in 1991 all closed head injuries (two) from falls were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas in 1993 1 of 8 (12%) closed head injuries was denied for donation. Finally, all 4 of 4 nonaccidental traumas (ie, child abuse) were denied in 1991, but 1 of 2 were released in both 1992 and 1993. Further education and awareness efforts could reduce the rates of coroner denial even more significantly.