The Hellenic Transplant Organization has made great efforts in motivating health professionals in detecting and referring more donors. To achieve this goal, Donor Action Foundation was invited to Greece for an introductory seminar. Thereafter, a Hospital Attitude Survey (HAS) was administered to hospitals expressing interest. Purpose: The study examined the attitude, skills and involvement of ICU staff to organ donation. The HAS questionnaire from Donor Action was distributed equally between medical and nursing staff. Results: Eleven hospitals agreed to take part in the survey and 92 questionnaires were completed and were classified into 3 main categories: Attitude towards Donation, Skills, and Participation in Donation Procedures. Positive attitude was reported by 94.6% but only 73.9% would donate their organs. An 80.4 % would donate relative’s organs and 29.3% their child’s. Regarding self-reported skills in donation practice, 57.6% felt comfortable with notifying a transplant coordinator, 25% with explaining brain death, 32.6% with introducing organ donation and 10.9% with donor family supporting. Regarding participation, 68% of nurses had never nursed a donor, and 44% and 34% of doctors had taken part in 1 to 3 cases or none respectively. In Greek hospitals evidence shows that: a) Support towards organ donation is average. b) ICU’s staff involvement in donation practice is minimal. c) Skills of ICU staff regarding donation practices are inadequate.
Conclusion: Compared to international data, Greek health professionals are more reluctant to donation. It seems that doctors and nurses are uncomfortable in dealing with brain death matter. These issues need addressing immediately if organ donation is to reach its maximum potential.