# Organ Donation

Organ, Tissue, Eye Donation Description of the Problem The phrase “one person can save eight lives” seems unbelievable at first glance but this statistic is often forgotten by the public in regards to organ donation. Organ donation is “the process of giving an organ or part of an organ to be transplanted into another person” (Donate Life America, n.d., para. 1). Organ transplant is considered an acceptable medical option for individuals with end-stage organ failure (United States Department of Health & Human Services [USDHHS], n.d. a, para. 1). Organs that are donated include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines. Tissues that can be donated include the cornea, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, and connective tissue (Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services [MDHSS], n.d., para. 5). Once a person decides to donate organs or tissue they are placed on their state’s donor registry. A person can be either a living or deceased donor. A living donor can donate a kidney or a portion of their lung, liver, intestines, or pancreas. A deceased donor can donate kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, intestinal organs, and heart. The organs or tissues donated are evaluated to see if they match a patient on the national transplant list and donation professionals determine which patient they will be given to (Donate Life America, n.d., para. 3 and 4).
The problem facing our country today with organ donation is that there are simply not enough organs being donated to meet demand. According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, every 10 minutes someone is added to the national transplant list. Each day an average of 79 people receive organ transplants but an average of 18-21 people die each day waiting for transplants that never happen (n.d. b, para. 1). In Missouri alone there are an estimated 1, 601 people who are constantly waiting to have an organ transplant (Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee, 2014, p. 20). In Missouri, out of the entire population aged 18 and over 69% have signed up as an organ donor at some point. However, only 45% of those people stay on or join the state registry as organ donors (Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee, 2014, p. 17). One of the most important things to remember is that organ donation affects individuals from infancy to the elderly. In Missouri, there are currently 1,885 people total on the waiting list for an organ. If we break down that number into age groups people from all walks of life are affected. The results are 4 people less than one year old, 24 people that are 1-5 years old, 14 people 6-10 years old, 29 people 11-17 years old, 201 people 18-34 years old, 418 people aged 35-49, 778 people who are 50-64 and 417 people who are 65 and over are all waiting for an organ transplant (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, n.d. b, p.1). If this issue is not addressed thousands of lives will be lost in our country from preventable situations if the correct organs and tissues had been available to patients. Causes of the Problem There are many factors that play a role in the organ and tissue donation shortage. The two largest reasons for the shortage would be the way that organs and tissues are distributed to patients and the misconceptions surrounding organ donation that affect the general public’s decision to donate and their beliefs surrounding the topic. If people were more aware of the process organs are distributed they may become more motivated to become donors and shorten the wait time that many patients face. Before an organ is given to a patient on the wait list, the donor’s blood type, height and weight are recorded and analyzed to see if their organs match a transplant candidate. The order in which candidates are placed to receive an organ relies on national policies (USDHHS, n.d. c, para. 2). If a donated organ does not match the candidate and was transplanted the patient’s body would reject that organ and they could die (Organ donation facts, 2012, p.2). Other than compatibility there are other things to consider when distributing organs. Organs have to be preserved once taken from a donor and have a specific time frame that they will be usable. For hearts and lungs the time is 4-6 hours, livers last from 8-12 hours, the pancreas lasts 12-18 hours and the kidney last 24-36 hours (USDHHS, n.d. c, para. 6). Due to these time gaps, distance is a crucial influence in determining which patients will receive an organ. Another factor that has to be accounted for is organ size. A pediatric patient will not be able to receive an adult sized organ and vice versa. “Proper organ size is critical to a successful transplant, children will respond better to child-sized organs and are essentially first in line for other children’s organs” (USDHHS, n.d. c, para. 4).
The other large influence that affects organ distribution would be the attitude of the general public towards organ donation. There are many myths surrounding organ donation and unfortunately many people in the general population have been persuaded to not donate by fear. “Myth #1: The hospital staff and doctor won’t work as hard to save my life. This is false as doctors are obligated and focused on saving your life- not someone else’s” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 3). “Myth #2: I won’t be really dead when the death certificate is signed. This is false as organs are typically taken from donors who died from irreparable neurological injury such as an aneurysm, stroke, or automobile accident. After all efforts have been exhausted in saving the patient’s life, tests will be performed to confirm the patient is brain dead and the organs are truly available for donation. Organs are taken from these individuals as blood and oxygen must flow through the organs until the time of recovery to ensure usability (Donate life America, n.d., para. 2). “Myth #3: Organ donation is against my religion. This is false as most major religions including Roman Catholicism, Islam, Judaism and Protestant faiths accept organ donation” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 5). “Myth #4: I am too young to donate. If you are under 18 your parents can authorize this decision and express your wishes- remember young adults can give children smaller organs than what an adult provides” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 6). “Myth #5: I am too old to donate. No one wants my organs. This is false as age does not determine if your organs are transplantable, the doctors will determine at the time of your death if the organs are suitable” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 8). “Myth #6: I’m not in the best health. No one wants my organs or tissues. This is false as there are very few medical conditions that disqualify you from donating organs” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 9). “Myth #7: My family will be charged if I donate my organs. This is false as the charges an organ donor’s family will receive are those spent on trying to save their life. Costs for organ removal are covered by the transplant recipient” (Mayo Clinic, 2013, para. 12).
References Donate life America. (n.d.). Organ donation. Retrieved from http://www.donatelife.net/organ-donation/ Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee. (2014). Donate life Missouri organ and tissue donation: 2014 annual report. Retrieved from http://www.health.mo.gov/living/organdonor/pdf/2014AnnualReport.pdf Mayo Clinic. (2013, May 3). Organ donation: Don’t let these myths confuse you.
Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in- depth/organ-donation/art-20047529 Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (n.d.). Get the facts. Retrieved from http://www.health.mo.gov/living/organdonor/facts.php Organ donation facts. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guide/ organ-donation-facts
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. (n.d. b). Data: Organ by age.
Retrieved from http://www.optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/converge/latestData/rptData.asp United State Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d. a). Why organ, eye, and tissue donation. Retrieved from http://www.organdonor.gov/index.html United State Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d. b). The need is real: Data. Retrieved from http://www.organdonor.gov/about/data.html United States Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d. c). How organ allocation works. Retrieved from http://www.optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/learn/ about-transplantation/how-organ-allocation-works/