"Organ donor" on driver's license

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I recently had to renew my driver's license. On a computer screen I was asked (as I was asked by a similar computer before) if I wanted to be an organ donor and have 'organ donor' printed on my license. (In case you are wondering, I said yes, but I don't hold it against anyone if they say no.)

I have had people tell me this essentially makes you an organ donor should something happen to you--i.e. it cannot be revoked by you family members except under the most extreme situations. I have had others tell me that family can override this, so that your organs are not donated even though you have this on your license. So which is....legally binding or still up to your family?

[sunbaby0811]

In many states that only states intention and is not binding. Many states have a registry you can sign up with that is much more binding. Depends on where you live. That's been my understanding of it in the little bit of reading on the subject I've done over the years.

[VictoriaGayle]

It depends on what state you live in. Some states have laws making them "legally binding" but from what I hear they aren't enforced, as in family members are still asked.

Also in some states if you registered as an organ donor before the laws were passed its up to your family unless you sign up on the new list.

Your best bet is to have legal documents stating your wishes and to make sure your family knows and respects those wishes incase it does end up being up to them.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

State specific.

In my state, it is binding - family cannot override.

[VictoriaGayle]

State specific.

In my state, it is binding - family cannot override.

Is it enforced? I've been reading some stuf about states passing laws but the family is still allowed to say no if there isn't any actual paper work?

I'm honestly suprised it is an issue, I geuss I expect family members to actually know and respect their dearly departeds wishes.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

It is enforced in my state.

[VictoriaGayle]

It is enforced in my state.

Thats good. I kind of have a pet peeve for the whole "hey, lets pass a law and then not enforce it!" thing.

I wonder if other states are really as bad about going against that as people say? Or if it depends on the facility and doctor?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

While I'd say it's technically a "done deal", MDs consider the legal wrangling with an unhappy family and ask them what THEY want done. At least, in my own experience, I can't speak to every State everywhere.

I've seen a DNR completely overridden, because the 90-year old patient (who had signed a DNR while completely in her right mind five years before) was now "incompetent" and the son at her bedside jumped up and down screaming "HELP HER!!!" until the hospital supervisor mobilized the code team. So there she was, coded until she had ribs broken and nothing left except the weakest beat ever....transferred to ICU so she could die again later in the day.

We were all $(#$--ed off about it (I, personally, was able to stay OUT of that room, thankfully)...the son screamed that since he was the Health Care Proxy, he had final right of decision. Medical staff in charge knew that didn't work that way, but figured the poor old thing was going to die regardless...and if they did what he wanted, well, no lawsuit for "negligence"

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

there is an ad campaign in Australia that is about let your family know. its called "would your family know what to do". I know I have had the discussion with my "family" being an ex pat its a bit different but my father is in Ireland so bit hard for him to make that decision!!

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Is it enforced? I've been reading some stuf about states passing laws but the family is still allowed to say no if there isn't any actual paper work?

I'm honestly suprised it is an issue, I geuss I expect family members to actually know and respect their dearly departeds wishes.

That is assuming they CARE about what their family member wants. My mother told me that if she were declared brain dead and we kept her alive through artificial means she would come back to haunt us and make our lives hell. So, well, even if I were selfish enough to attempt it, I don't want to risk perma-haunting lol.

And as far as organ donation, my family is extremely pro-organ donation. The only reason I got to know the amazing man that was my maternal grandfather is because of a heart transplant. If my gift can give another family a similar chance, then I would gladly do it. There really needs to be some better legislation to allow healthcare workers to know patient wishes. There also needs to be better education to the general public regarding organ donation. So many people think if you check that little box on your licence, HC workers will not try as hard to save you in the event of a tragic accident so they could harvest you. Just makes you shake your head as to where they get this information...

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

I think most of the time they do go with what your license says opposed to family because you are the one who picked that for your license, so those were your wishes.

[VictoriaGayle]

While I'd say it's technically a "done deal", MDs consider the legal wrangling with an unhappy family and ask them what THEY want done. At least, in my own experience, I can't speak to every State everywhere.

I've seen a DNR completely overridden, because the 90-year old patient (who had signed a DNR while completely in her right mind five years before) was now "incompetent" and the son at her bedside jumped up and down screaming "HELP HER!!!" until the hospital supervisor mobilized the code team. So there she was, coded until she had ribs broken and nothing left except the weakest beat ever....transferred to ICU so she could die again later in the day.

We were all $(#$--ed off about it (I, personally, was able to stay OUT of that room, thankfully)...the son screamed that since he was the Health Care Proxy, he had final right of decision. Medical staff in charge knew that didn't work that way, but figured the poor old thing was going to die regardless...and if they did what he wanted, well, no lawsuit for "negligence"

Stories ike this make me sick. It is horribly selfish. I understand the pain of loosing someone dear to you, but I juts couldn't go against someones wishes like that just to put them in pain for a few more hours of low quality life...I understand where they are coming from, the eotional place itself, but I wouldn't be able to do the same. Then again, I think it stems in part from a lack of medical knowledge and some idea that any form of life, regardess of quality, is better than even the most dignified death.

We can try to educate the family but a few minutes of explaining how painful something that might not even work is probably wont undo years of conditioning.

I wish every high school health class really explained DNR and why some people may not want certain things done (with out making it about convincing people to be DNR and such) and the importance of respecting the wishes of others.

I can't believe things like that are legal. Someone fills out the proper legal paper work in regards to their wishes, but the doctors are afraid of a lawsuit if they don't go against it? Shouldn't it be the other way around, with them afraid of legal action if they go against those legal documents?

As for what Jeweles said, I know, I know. Its sad. I'm usually pretty misanthropic but I still find myself going "Really!?!?" at the world fairly often.

I hate hearing people say they aren't an organ donor because of some conspiracy theory. I have heard people say things like that SO many times!