Authors

  1. Miracle, Vickie A. EdD, RN, CCRN, CCNS, CCRC

Article Content

Seasons Greetings!

 

I recently had my driver's license renewed. As I was paying, I asked the clerk about organ donation. She replied that she was supposed to ask if I wanted the organ donor sticker for my license. She continued saying that hardly anyone says yes, so she has quit asking. She then placed the sticker on my license, and 2 employees at the clerk's office witnessed my signature.

 

As I left, I started to wonder how often we let an opportunity pass for organ donation, either because we did not think about it or assumed the reply would be negative. How often do we think about donating our organs? Does anyone else know of your wishes? Have you discussed this issue with your families, friends, and colleagues? During this upcoming season of giving, I strongly encourage each of you to consider the greatest gift of all-the gift of life.

 

There are approximately 95,000 people in the United States waiting for a donated organ.1 Approximately 6,000 potential recipients die each year before an organ becomes available. This amounts to the low of 16 deaths a day.1

 

Consider the following when thinking about organ donation2:

 

1. Approximately 3,700 new names are added to the organ donor list each month.

 

2. There are about 77 transplants performed each day.

 

3. Any donor can help up to 50 people by either tissue or organ donation.

 

4. There is no cost to the family of the organ donor.

 

5. Please make your wishes (pro or con) known to your family.

 

 

Each state regulates organ donation according to the limits of the National Organ Transplant Law of 1968.3 At this time in the United States, the potential donor must give consent to be an organ donor either by signing a legal document, signing a driver's license, registering on a donor list, or discussing the issue with family. However, family members of the donor may, in some cases, refuse organ donation even if the donor has agreed.

 

As critical care nurses, we frequently face this issue without patients and their families. In many cases, the nurse may be the first to identify a potential organ donation. Be familiar with the organ donation process in your state. Follow your employer's policies concerning organ donation. Involve the local organ procurement organization. Work closely with the organ procurement personnel. Invite a representative of the organ procurement organization to speak to nurses in your unit. This representative can provide insight into the role of the critical care nurse in organ donation.

 

Share resources and serve as a liaison with the patient and family. In addition, if you are in favor of organ donation, share your wishes with others. Take the time to educate your family, friends, colleagues, patients, and laypersons about organ donation. There are many myths surrounding organ donation. As critical care nurses, you can work to dispel these myths. Be a patient advocate and learn as much as you can about organ donation. Knowledge is key to the process.4,5

 

As you celebrate the upcoming holiday season, I ask that each of you consider your own thoughts and beliefs about organ donation. Then make your wishes known by telling your family and friends. Also, put your wishes into writing. Life is the greatest gift of all.

 

I wish each of you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and 2008.

 

Vickie A. Miracle, EdD, RN, CCRN, CCNS, CCRC

 

Editor, DCCN and Lecturer

 

Bellarmine University

 

School of Nursing

 

Louisville, KY

 

[email protected]

 

References

 

1. Organ donation: don't let myths stand in your way. 2007. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.con/health-organ-donation/FL00077. Accessed May 16, 2007. [Context Link]

 

2. US Department of Health and Human Services. Organ donation and transplantation. 2007. Available at: http://womenshealth.org/faq/organ_donation.htm. Accessed May 16, 2007. [Context Link]

 

3. Organ donation. No date available. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/organ_donation. Accessed May 16, 2007. [Context Link]

 

4. Tamburri LM. The role of the critical care nurse in the organ donation breakthrough collaborative. Crit Care Nurse. 2006;26:20-23. [Context Link]

 

5. Daly BJ. End-of-life decision making, organ donation, and critical care nurses. Crit Care Nurse. 2006;26:78-86. [Context Link]