Applying the New Brain Death Guidelines: Updates, Challenges and Controversies

Activity Summary

The new consensus guidelines on brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) published in 2023 by AAN in collaboration with AAP/CNS/SCCM updates key aspects of brain death determination, including prerequisite criteria, the clinical exam and confirmatory testing. The guideline also includes the recommendation that APRNs can perform both supervised and independent BD/DNC evaluations in accordance with local laws/hospital policies. Utilizing case-based learning, we review the updated guidelines, focusing on controversies and challenges facing clinicians pronouncing brain death.

Objectives

Explain key updates to the new guidelines on BD/DNC, including pre-requisites, full exam and ancillary testing for brain death.
Analyze challenges to brain death testing, focused on new definitions, who performs the exam and challenges to the UDDA.
Apply knowledge to simulation-style, case-based scenarios utilizing key teachings from the guideline.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.