These advances have allowed transplantation to be viewed as a safe and therapeutic form of treatment for those suffering from end stage organ failure. During 1999, over 15,000 transplants were performed in the United States. Many more benefited from tissue and corneal transplantation. However, over the past years, it has become increasingly evident that the primary impediment to progress in organ and tissue transplantation is not a lack of technology, but rather a lack of donor organs and tissues. Sadly, as these patients hope for a medical miracle, nine will die each day as they wait for an organ transplant.
Most people express favorable attitudes toward donation.
In order to facilitate this desire, the healthcare professional must ensure that every family is given the option to donate at the time of their loved one's death. More importantly, according to the 1984 National Organ Transplant Act, families have the legal right to be offered the opportunity of donation upon the death of their loved one. Further, as of 1999, the Health Care Financing Administration requires that hospitals report all deaths to their federally designated Organ Procurement Organization before donation is discussed with the potential donor family. Additionally, the person who initiates, or discusses the option of donation to the donor family must be a designated and trained requester. Just as a greater emphasis for donation awareness is being placed on the professional community, an equal amount of time is being devoted to improving the public's awareness of organ and tissue donation.