tdeangelis

I know that this is an older thread, but as someone who currently works in organ procurement and transplant, I would like to clarify a comment made by "netglow". It is NEVER the job of the designated requestor who speaks with potential donor families to CONVINCE anyone to consent, nor is anyone referred to as a "CONVINCER". The role of the designated requestor is to assess the family's understanding of brain death and/or grave prognosis, and to provide the family with sufficient information regarding donation so that they may make an informed decision (informed consent). Local OPOs track consent rates and report them to governmental agencies, but there is NOT a "quota system" in place. OPOs aim for a consent rate of 75% or greater, but it's a goal (much like hospitals have a goal of 0% central line infections). Misinformation like this is damaging to the public's perception of organ donation and can be quite damaging to the fantastic work that OPOs do. Contact your local OPO for more information. All OPOs have literature and educational programs (inservices) in place for both the public and healthcare professionals. Typically, the "ethical issues" surrounding transplant have more to do with a lack of education than murky ethics.