Organ Donation Opt Out

[XB9S]

This thread has got me thinking

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/wales-seeks-organ-445429.html

There are so many great opinions and discussions in it I thought I'd start a poll, it would appear there are a few of the European countries that have considered organ donation opt out schemes with the aim of increasing available donor organs.

Wales could become the first part of the UK introduce an opt-out system of organ donation under plans by the assembly government.

It would mean that Welsh residents would be presumed to be organ donors unless they have joined an opt out register or immediate relatives object.

Other exclusions include if a person's identity or place of residence cannot be confirmed.

But there has been criticism of the plans by the Conservatives.

The move is aimed at boosting organs available for transplants.

The so called 'soft opt-out' system is similar to that already used in Belgium and Portugal, where organ donation rates are far higher than in the UK

with Wales being one of the most recent

So what are your thoughts, I have set up a poll,

Yes I think everyone should be considered a donor unless they specifically opt out

No your organ should only be donated if you have actually expressed the wish to be a donor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8420678.stm

[Queendee22]

Thanx so much Allnurses for the Beatles birthday wish!

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Geeze lets just take all choices away from the people. Who are you Big Brother?????? ack!

It is and should continue to be a personal and private decision. Not private after you choose to donate; but in the decision making process, we need to stay out of it. We have lost enough control over our choices already... don't add to that loss.

Yes but I don't see it as taking away a choice. Right now that choice is usually made when one is past caring and made by those left behind. THAT is taking away choice.

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Of course there are many potential pitfalls with an opt out program. I don't know about the idea that people would be too illiterate to make the opt out choice. If they made it opt out they would need to include some protections.

I guess I would like to see a less visceral response to questions like these and a more measured scientific approach.

[Music in My Heart]

At a very minimum, nobody should be permitted to receive an organ if they themselves have not been a registered donor for a significant period of time before their potential need for one become evident.

I also do not believe that non-residents should be permitted to come to a country and receive an organ.

Bottom line: If you're not contributing then you have no right to collect.

[ItsTheDude]

i don't see this as a real issue in the US, it just won't happen, different culture here.

[Jiminocala]

Soylent Green is PEOPLE!

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

i don't see this as a real issue in the US, it just won't happen, different culture here.

I am not sure it'll happen in the UK either, there is a fair amount of resistance to it already

[morte, LPN, LVN]

anyone read the book, "the fifth vial"? interesting.....and d/t to the perversity of my nature, i would opt out, even though i have been a donor (drivers lic) for years.......

[aura_of_laura]

We're all assuming that organ donor = organs for transplant. This is not always the case - bodies and organs are also greatly needed for students, and for research (i.e. crash test dummies) . I highly recommend Stiff by Mary Roach - a terrific exam of all the many uses (sanctioned and otherwise) our bodies can have once we're done with them.

Instead of just asking if organ donation should be opt-out, what about body donation for other purposes?

If my body can be useful once I'm done with it, all the better!

[phoenixfire]

One thing that has to be addressed in this discussion is how much education the family members get when they are approached about this particular topic. Most of the families I have run into are concerned that their loved one will be in pain, or will be let die without treatment if they are an organ donor. I have successfully been able to educate two families who beforehand refused organ donation because they did not understand what was going on, or what was going to happen. People have the right to take their organs with them to their coffin, but at the same time, I have to mention that the law needs to reflect the PATIENT'S wishes, not the families. The way the law reads right now, I can be an organ donor all day long, and my driver's license reflects that, but if I am unable to communicate and my husband says no, there is nothing that anyone can do about it. He has the right to override my wishes regardless of what is on my license.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

One thing that has to be addressed in this discussion is how much education the family members get when they are approached about this particular topic. Most of the families I have run into are concerned that their loved one will be in pain, or will be let die without treatment if they are an organ donor. I have successfully been able to educate two families who beforehand refused organ donation because they did not understand what was going on, or what was going to happen. People have the right to take their organs with them to their coffin, but at the same time, I have to mention that the law needs to reflect the PATIENT'S wishes, not the families. The way the law reads right now, I can be an organ donor all day long, and my driver's license reflects that, but if I am unable to communicate and my husband says no, there is nothing that anyone can do about it. He has the right to override my wishes regardless of what is on my license.

I completely agree. It is crazy that an individuals wishes in this area can be denied by the family.

[kids]

I don't have to opt-out of being a registered voter or joining the military. It's my right to donate or not donate and I shouldn't have to take steps to defend my right to keep my organs.

I'm not a donor and if a loved one passed without expressing a preference I would not donate their organs.

Like many things in health care I consider organ transplant to be one of the many things just because we can doesn't mean we should. So no, I wouldn't accept a transplant.

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

An opt out system would be a much better approach in increasing the availability of organs. My 47 yo husband was an organ donor after being on life support from a medical incident. It made his death a little more acceptable, knowing that he was able to help many other people. It's been 5 years, and his recipients are doing well.

But I'm not so sure that this approach would work well in the USA. Many people here are so afraid of death that it would be impossible to try and educate them on organ donation.

Opting in does not violates anyone's right. You'd just have to sign a form that you don't want to be an organ donor. No one would be forced to be an organ donor.