Unit G: Organ TransplantsUnit G: Organ Transplants

Basic facts related to organ Basic facts related to organ transplantstransplants

• A.A. No age limits – under 18 requires No age limits – under 18 requires parent or guardian consentparent or guardian consent

• B.B. To donate, indicate on driver’s To donate, indicate on driver’s license and carry donor cardlicense and carry donor card

• C.C. Assure family members know Assure family members know desire to be a donordesire to be a donor

• D.D. Organs: heart, kidneys, Organs: heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestinespancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines

• E.E. Tissues: cornea, skin, bone Tissues: cornea, skin, bone marrow, heart valves, and marrow, heart valves, and connective tissueconnective tissue

• F.F. Donation does not disfigure body Donation does not disfigure body or interfere with funeralor interfere with funeral

• G.G. All costs paid by recipient All costs paid by recipient (insurance), (insurance), Medicare, or MedicaidMedicare, or Medicaid

• H.H. Selling organs is illegalSelling organs is illegal• I.I. National donor network – patients on National donor network – patients on

list list matched by criteriamatched by criteria• 1.1. Blood and tissue typingBlood and tissue typing• 2.2. Medical urgencyMedical urgency• 3.3. Time on the waiting listTime on the waiting list• 4.4. Geographical locationGeographical location

Organ procurement Organ procurement organizationsorganizations

• 1.1. Evaluate potential donorsEvaluate potential donors

• 2.2. Discuss donation with family Discuss donation with family membersmembers

• 3.3. Arrange for surgical removal of Arrange for surgical removal of donated organsdonated organs

Bioethical issues associated Bioethical issues associated with organ transplantswith organ transplants

• A.A. Ethics of presumed Ethics of presumed consentconsent

• B.B. Organ donations from prisoners Organ donations from prisoners and and convicted criminalsconvicted criminals

• C.C. Financial incentives for organ Financial incentives for organ donationdonation

• D.D. Assessment for transplant Assessment for transplant candidacycandidacy

• E.E. Preferred status for organ donorsPreferred status for organ donors