Organ Donation

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2005

I did an ethical paper on this not too long ago. I suggest that you find journal articles relating to it and your paper will appear much stronger. I found that the main reason organs are not donated is because the lack of education. Not only with families, but with staff who aren't aware of sure how to go about addressing the issue. Good luck!

:)

Angeljoy · Sep 7, 2005

I have a story, if this helps...

My sister, a nurse anesthetists now, got sick and needed a kidney transplant when she was about 22 in 1991 or so. My dad gave her a kidney. My mom really wanted to, but she has high blood pressure.

So, about 2 1/2 years ago she got sick again and needed another transplant. I gave her my kidney in march 2003.

I guess when she first got sick, the dr's suggested to have a family member donate rather than wait for a cadaver. I was only 13 and they wouldn't even consider me. But since then i had always been told i would be the next to give.

I wanted to give my kidney because i didnt want my sister to die. I think thats reason enough. But i also was terrified and thought about why i shouldn't. The day after surgery, i also wondered why i would subject my healthy body to this horrific pain. But then i thought, i would have done anything to help my sister.

I hope this was helpful. If you need anything further, feel free to send me a private message (PM)-Amy

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

I have found that the people who refuse organ donation have very strong opinions about it and think it is wrong, or are following their loved one's wishes.

missboo622 · Sep 8, 2005

I have a story, if this helps...
My sister, a nurse anesthetists now, got sick and needed a kidney transplant when she was about 22 in 1991 or so. My dad gave her a kidney. My mom really wanted to, but she has high blood pressure.
So, about 2 1/2 years ago she got sick again and needed another transplant. I gave her my kidney in march 2003.
I guess when she first got sick, the dr's suggested to have a family member donate rather than wait for a cadaver. I was only 13 and they wouldn't even consider me. But since then i had always been told i would be the next to give.
I wanted to give my kidney because i didnt want my sister to die. I think thats reason enough. But i also was terrified and thought about why i shouldn't. The day after surgery, i also wondered why i would subject my healthy body to this horrific pain. But then i thought, i would have done anything to help my sister.
I hope this was helpful. If you need anything further, feel free to send me a private message (PM)-Amy

Amy - Thanks! This is some of the insight I was hoping to get!!! I appreciate you sharing your story with me!

missboo622 · Sep 8, 2005

I have found that the people who refuse organ donation have very strong opinions about it and think it is wrong, or are following their loved one's wishes.

Have you ever heard them give reasons why they think that it is wrong?? I am trying to learn the reasons why people don't donate. I know a big one that I hear from people is "It's against my religion." I hope to provide some examples from different religious groups and organizations to educate a person as to the stand that religion/organization takes on organ donation. I think that some reasons that people give for not donating are a "knee-jerk" reaction the issue.

Thanks for replying! I appreciate the information!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

My sister will not list herself as a donor. She just has a general thought of, "I want to be buried with all of me there."

Whatever.

I am listed as a donor, however.

My thoughts are, let someone else live a healthy life if they can by using my organs after I pass.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

You wouldn't get teh progam "Enough Rope" in the US - basically it is a talk show but the host - Andrew Denton has a segement each week called "show and tell" where people can tell thier stories.

This the the transcript of one interview where this couple decided to come on the show following the death of thier 7 year old daughter from a sudden SAH. They agreed to donate her organs and then came on the show when they learnt that she was the only child donor in the state of Victoria that year.

I warn you watching the show brought tears to my eyes and the transcript is almost as powerful. I think though, you might find it useful.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1404818.htm

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

I am listed as a donor, however. . .My thoughts are, let someone else live a healthy life if they can by using my organs after I pass.

:twocents: I was told as a supervisor that we had to have permission for organ donation from a person's next of kin or who ever holds the medical power of attorney. I know of one nurse whose husband has told her he would not permit them to take her organs in donation if she were ever brain dead, so she has had someone else in her family specifically named as her durable power of attorney for medical decisions who knows her wishes on this and has promised to follow them despite what her husband has made very clear. Once you are brain dead, your legal next of kin (over-ridden by your durable power of attorney for medical decisions) are the ones who the hospital will go to for a decision about your organs. Were you aware that after your death your legal next of kin "own" your body and have control over it's dispostion?

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

Everyone knows my wishes. I don't think anyone has a problem with organ donation in my family, except my sister, and she just feels that way with her own body.

I was told as a supervisor that we had to have permission for organ donation from a person's next of kin or who ever holds the medical power of attorney. I know of one nurse whose husband has told her he would not permit them to take her organs in donation if she were ever brain dead, so she has had someone else in her family specifically named as her durable power of attorney for medical decisions who knows her wishes on this and has promised to follow them despite what her husband has made very clear. Once you are brain dead, your legal next of kin (over-ridden by your durable power of attorney for medical decisions) are the ones who the hospital will go to for a decision about your organs. Were you aware that after your death your legal next of kin "own" your body and have control over it's dispostion?

TechieNurse · Sep 8, 2005

hi missboo,

good luck on your paper!

i thought i'd give you my 2 cents worth, i fully expect to be flamed regarding this viewpoint, but, i thought i'd share it anyway....

just because we have technology doesn't mean we should always use it.

for example, just because we know how to clone, doesn't mean we should be doing it.

with that being said, i am not in favor of organ donation.

while directed donation (among family/friends) seems to be ok, general organ donation to an organ bank has it's issues. any process with human involvement is subject to human error.

what comes to mind is:

donations made with incompatible tissue types, complicating the already compromised patient and perhaps hastening their demise.

donations made from a patient who died of an glioblastoma, with most of the recipients now diagnosed with the same type of cancer, some have already died from it. (http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/02052005/south_of/63075.htm)

donations made from the family of a teenaged boy, however, none of the organs were used. his body was used for practice of harvesting different tissues (eyes, bones etc.). the family was not told that his organs were not usable, although the organ bank knew it before they asked the family due to the medications given to him in the er, and once they agreed to donate his organs, they had no way to stop the dissection.

(i can't find a link to this story right now, but i'm looking and will provide for interested persons, meanwhile, i did find this:(http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/specialrpts/braindonors/050130brain.shtml)

in my career, i worked closely with a nurse who was responsible for organ procurement. she told me that i was naive to think that the most worthy (i.e. sickest) patients always got available organs first. she said sometimes, they like to 'bump' high profile cases as a way to bring positive publicity to the cause. with the feeling that they are hurting few (those with a higher priority) but helping many (other people who would die without increased awareness and donation).

lastly, there is the bureacracy:

there are differences in waiting times on the unos list in various geographic locations;

there is a lack of transparency in the system;

if you have the money you can register in several different regions (thus potentially decreasing your wait time);

the fees charged by unos, even to be registered on the waiting list are outrageous. now they are charging new fees to find living donors,

unos/opo protocals don't provide fully informed consent to the families of prospective cadaveric donor families;

unos and the opo don't inform the public the organs are not donated but sold by unos.

jmho....

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2005

no flames, just a comment...lol

as with my own sister, i hope someone else has a different view on organ donation if you need an organ.

in my family, pkd is abundant. i may be needing a kidney in the future to stay alive. if i end up with something else, well, i would have died anyway without a donated kidney.

so, for those who are in need of a transplant, taking a chance of "catching' something else is a small risk one takes in order to have a glimpse of hope to stay alive.

hi missboo,
good luck on your paper!
i thought i'd give you my 2 cents worth, i fully expect to be flamed regarding this viewpoint, but, i thought i'd share it anyway....
just because we have technology doesn't mean we should always use it.
for example, just because we know how to clone, doesn't mean we should be doing it.
with that being said, i am not in favor of organ donation.
while directed donation (among family/friends) seems to be ok, general organ donation to an organ bank has it's issues. any process with human involvement is subject to human error.
what comes to mind is:
donations made with incompatible tissue types, complicating the already compromised patient and perhaps hastening their demise.
donations made from a patient who died of an glioblastoma, with most of the recipients now diagnosed with the same type of cancer, some have already died from it. (http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/02052005/south_of/63075.htm)
donations made from the family of a teenaged boy, however, none of the organs were used. his body was used for practice of harvesting different tissues (eyes, bones etc.). the family was not told that his organs were not usable, although the organ bank knew it before they asked the family due to the medications given to him in the er, and once they agreed to donate his organs, they had no way to stop the dissection.
(i can't find a link to this story right now, but i'm looking and will provide for interested persons, meanwhile, i did find this:(http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/specialrpts/braindonors/050130brain.shtml)
in my career, i worked closely with a nurse who was responsible for organ procurement. she told me that i was naive to think that the most worthy (i.e. sickest) patients always got available organs first. she said sometimes, they like to 'bump' high profile cases as a way to bring positive publicity to the cause. with the feeling that they are hurting few (those with a higher priority) but helping many (other people who would die without increased awareness and donation).
lastly, there is the bureacracy:
there are differences in waiting times on the unos list in various geographic locations;
there is a lack of transparency in the system;
if you have the money you can register in several different regions (thus potentially decreasing your wait time);
the fees charged by unos, even to be registered on the waiting list are outrageous. now they are charging new fees to find living donors,
unos/opo protocals don't provide fully informed consent to the families of prospective cadaveric donor families;
unos and the opo don't inform the public the organs are not donated but sold by unos.
jmho....