The Huddle

What is a Huddle

A huddle is a brief meeting involving key hospital personnel and OPO staff. It is a collaborative effort between the OPCs and patient care team intended to establish a clear plan of OPC involvement, foster teamwork, and support the opportunity for donation.

Who is Involved in a Huddle?

The huddle should consist of at least two members of the patient care team, to include the bedside nurse and the attending physician.

When Should a Huddle Occur?

A huddle can occur at multiple points and cover different aspects of the case.

What is Discussed in a Typical Huddle?

  • Hospital care plan
  • What donation opportunities exist at the time of evaluation
  • Clinical factors relevant to preservation of future donation activities
  • Issues regarding brain death diagnosis or potential DCD suitability
  • The patient’s donor designation status, when authorization will be required, and legal-next-of-kin identification
  • What will be discussed with family members when patients are designated as donors.
  • Family dynamics and their level of comprehension of their loved one’s condition.
  • Plan for Approaching the Family—Who will be present? Who will lead the discussion? What will be said? Where will the approach occur?

When Does Follow Up Occur?

The OPCs or patient care team may choose to follow-up when necessary during each case.

What is a Follow Up Use for?

During a follow up, issues or misunderstandings may be resolved, questions relevant to the particular case are addressed, and further assistance is requested. These follow-ups also encourage ongoing communication between the OPCs, family, and patient care team.

What is Discussed at a Typical Follow Up Meeting?

  • Family dynamics
  • Hospital care plan
  • Clinical factors relevant to preservation of future donation opportunities
  • Issues regarding brain death diagnosis or potential DCD suitability
  • When patients are not designated as donors, the huddle is a chance to discuss the family’s possible responses to the request for authorization.

Importance of Huddle Documentation

It is vital that OPO staff document when a huddle takes place. Such documentation creates a record of what was discussed and who was involved in the conversation. The OPC will ask each person present to sign an accompanying form so that everyone’s roles and expectations are noted. The documentation becomes part of the OPO’s chart for the patient.

Documentation creates a record of what was discussed and who was involved in the huddle conversation. The CORE Evaluation and Process Form provides a template for thorough and effective documentation.