Organ and Tissue Donation and Recovery

The gift of organ donation is the gift of life. However, the gap between those who need an organ or tissue donation and the number of donations available is wide and growing. Health care providers need to understand the issues surrounding organ and tissue donation and recovery so they can effectively support the needs of donor families and donor recipients.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to do the following:

• Describe the scope of the problem of organ and tissue procurement in the United States.
• Identify guidelines related to global organ procurement.
• Differentiate which organs can be transplanted from deceased versus living donors.
• Discuss common myths and misperceptions about organ and tissue donation.
• Compare and contrast the perspectives on transplantation among various religious or faith groups.
• Explain the process for organ donation for deceased donors.
• Identify barriers to donor recruitment and methods of overcoming the barriers.
• Identify contraindications to organ donation.
• Discuss methods of providing family support during the organ donation process.

The decision to become an organ and tissue donor is a profound one. Organ and tissue donation and transplantation provide a second chance at life for thousands of people every year. Deciding to be a donor gives someone else the gift of life (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [DHHS], 2017).

According to Patthi et al. (2015), organ and tissue donation (OTD) is defined as the surgical removal of an organ or tissues from one person (the donor) and placing it in another person (the recipient). Most donated organs and tissues are received from people who have died. Organ and tissue donations save the lives of patients affected by terminal organ failure and improve their quality of life (Patthi et al., 2015).

Individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities can save and enhance lives by donating their organs and tissues. In general, individuals of most races and ethnicities in the United States donate in proportion to their representation in the population. However, some groups need more donations than other groups because of a higher incidence of health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, both of which can lead to a greater need for a kidney transplant. For example, African Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos are three times more likely than Caucasians to suffer from end-stage kidney disease and require a transplant (DHHS, 2017).

No one is too old or young to donate. Both newborns and senior citizens have been organ and tissue donors. What is most important is the condition of the organs at the time of donation. For example, someone who is 30 years old with a history of alcohol abuse may have a liver that is in worse condition than someone who is 60 years old who has never consumed alcohol. If someone under the age of 18 years wishes to donate an organ or tissue, the person may need the permission of a parent or guardian (DHHS, 2017).