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Understand the basics of organ transplantation, including age limits, donor consent, and organ types. There are no age restrictions on organ donation; however, individuals under 18 need parental consent. Donors can indicate their wishes on their driver's license, and families should be informed of their desires. All costs associated with transplant procedures are covered by the recipient's insurance. Key organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver can be donated, while the ethics surrounding organ donation raise significant questions. Learn about the National Donor Network and the role of organ procurement organizations.
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ORGAN TRANSPLANTS Basic Facts and Organizations that Support Organ Transplantation
BASIC FACTS • No age limits • Under 18 requires parent or guardian consent • To donate, indicate on driver’s license and carry donor card • Assure family members know desire to be a donor • Donation does not disfigure body or interfere with funeral • All costs paid by recipient: insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid
BASIC FACTS continued • Organs: • Heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines • Tissues: • Cornea, skin, bone marrow, heart valves, and connective tissue • Selling organs is illegal • Why?
FACTS continued • Cornea is the most transplanted tissue • It is better to have a donor the same race because they are more genetically alike, but same race is not mandatory • Medical necessity is the first criteria considered to determine transplant candidacy
NATIONAL DONOR NETWORK • Patients on list matched by criteria: • Blood and tissue typing • Medical urgency • Time on the waiting list • Geographical location
ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS • Evaluate potential donors • Discuss donation with family members • Arrange for surgical removal of donated organs
BIOETHICAL ISSUES • Ethics of presumed consent • In other countries, organs are donated regardless if they have a donor card or not • Organ donations from prisoners and convicted criminals • Financial incentives for organ donation • Assessment for transplant candidacy • American citizen? • Lottery system: good or bad idea • Preferred status for organ donors