15th March 2022

A 33-year-old man is brought to A&E following a road traffic collision

A 33-year-old man is brought to A&E following a road traffic collision. On arrival his GCS is 3/15. A CT head shows multiple catastrophic intracranial haemorrhages. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he remains unresponsive, and a diagnosis of brainstem death is made. Following discussion with the family, a decision is made to withdraw treatment, which will lead to the patient’s death.

The patient is found to be on the national organ donor register, and organ donation is raised with the family. His mother objects, stating that she cannot bear the thought of his body being “maimed”.

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