Organ Donation

Today, in the United States there are over 102,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.  One person is added to the waiting list every 11 minutes.  Sadly, nearly eighteen people die each day waiting for an organ¹.  There are many more people that need an organ than there are organs available.  Studies show that while 85% of people support organ donation, only about half actually donate² their organs.  It is important that people take time to learn about organ donation now so that they will be able to make the decision that is right for them. 

 

What is Organ Donation?

 

When we talk about “organs” we are referring to a person’s heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, small intestine, and kidneys.  Organs are referred to as “life saving.”  Before transplantation, failure of one of these organs meant death.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s, doctors began learning how to successfully transplant organs from one person to another.  Today, more than 28,000 organ transplants are performed every year.

 

Organs are delicate and must have blood and oxygen to work.  Because of this, organ donation must occur in the hospital where specially trained doctors and nurses can remove them.  A person who donates their organs could save the lives of up to eight people.  The person who donates their organs is known as an “organ donor.”  The person who receives an organ transplant is known as a “recipient.”

 

What is Brain Death?

 

“Brain death” occurs when someone’s brain stops working – often because of an accident, stroke, or after being deprived of oxygen.  Doctors can tell when someone is brain dead by testing certain reflexes controlled by the brain and by using machines that look at blood flow to the brain.  The brain controls our breathing so people who are brain dead are in a hospital on a breathing machine called a “ventilator.”  Because of the ventilator and certain medicines, the person’s body can function even after death.  This allows the heart to supply the organs with blood and oxygen until a transplant team can arrive.  Once removed, the organs must be transplanted quickly into a recipient.  The heart and lungs must be transplanted within 6 hours, a liver within 12 hours, a pancreas within 18 hours, and a kidney within 24 hours.

 

Donation After Cardiac Death

 

Sometimes a patient’s injury is so severe that doctors are unable to save their life.  The doctors then discuss with the patient’s family whether or not to remove life support.  If the family chooses to remove life support, the machines are turned off, and the patient is allowed to die peacefully.  In certain situations, these individuals can be organ donors.  Transplant teams are contacted and are present when the life support is turned off.  After the patient’s heart stops beating and is declared dead by their doctor, the transplant teams can carefully remove the organs.

 

Myths

 

Many people do not know what organ donation is or have heard rumors about it that are wrong.  It’s important that you learn the facts about organ donation so you can make an informed decision.  There are four main myths about organ donation.

 

Myth 1:       Organ donation involves cutting up the body.  You can’t have an open casket funeral.

 

Organ donation occurs in an operating room with specially trained surgeons.  Organs are removed through a single incision that is covered by clothing.  In most cases, funeral arrangements can be the same whether the person was a donor or not.

 

Myth 2:     It costs a family money to donate organs.

 

The family does not pay for any of the costs of donating an organ.  The organ transplant team pays all of the costs of the donation.  The family is only responsible for the costs of caring for the patient before they died and the funeral costs after death.  These are the same costs whether the patient donates or not.

 

Myth 3:     Donation will delay funeral arrangements.

 

Organ donation will not delay funeral arrangements.  Transplant teams work closely with funeral homes to make sure that all arrangements are taken care of. 

 

Myth 4:       If doctors know I’m an organ donor, they won’t work as hard to save my life.

 

Organ donation is never considered until after a person has died or after all efforts to save that person’s life have been exhausted.  The doctors and nurses who care for the person in the hospital are not the same ones that remove the organs.

 

 

Who Can Be a Donor?

 

Anyone can potentially be an organ donor.  It’s important that people don’t assume they can’t donate because of their current health.  Science and medicine change on a daily basis.  Things we can’t do today, we may be able to do tomorrow.  Because of this, there are no age limits or diseases that automatically rule out organ donation.  At the time of a person’s death, the doctors and nurses will work together to see whether a person can be an organ donor or not. 

 

How Do I Become an Organ Donor?

 

You can tell us that you want to be an organ donor in different ways.  You can sign your driver’s license or donor card.  You could also say you want to be an organ donor in a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.  Then make sure you tell your family what your wishes are.  The person who will make the decision at the time of your death is your next of kin. 

 

                        

Order of Next-Of-Kin

• Health care agent of power of attorney
• Spouse
• Adult Child
• Parent
• Adult Sibling
• Adult Grandchild
• Grandparent
• Adult who exhibited special care or concern for the patient
• Legal Guardian
• Coroner or Medical Examiner

When a family is asked about organ donation, it is helpful if they know what their loved one’s wishes are.  Discuss with them what you would want and take the time to find out their wishes as well.

 

Who Do I Call if I Want More Information?

 

The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Organ Procurement Organization

(UWHC OPO) can answer your questions and provide more information.  You can contact the UWHC OPO from 8:00-4:30 Monday through Friday at (608) 265-0356.   For further details, go to www.uwhcopo.org.

 

References

 

1. United Network for Organ Sharing.  Critical data:  U.S. facts about transplantation.  Available at:  http://www.unos.org/newsroom/critdata_main.htm.  Accessed 2009.
2. Sade, R.M.  (1999).  Transplantation, the organ gap, and race.  Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association, (95), 112-115.

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/23/2009

Copyright © 05/29/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5784

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