THE

LIVING BANK

QUESTIONS

About Organ and Tissue Donation

PROCEDURES

Q Does the donor family incur any costs for organ donation?
No, the donor's family never pays for organ or tissue donation. Hospital expenses incurred while trying to save the donor's life and funeral expenses are the responsibility of the donor family. All costs related to the donation are paid for by the organ procurement organization or the transplant center and eventually passed on to the organ/tissue recipients.
Q Which organs/tissues can be donated?
The heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestines and lungs are classified as organs. Some of the tissues that can be donated include skin, bone, corneas, heart valves, middle ear, blood vessels and connective tissues.
Q Does organ or tissue donation leave the body disfigured?
No, there is no disfigurement or delay in holding the funeral services. An open casket may be held if desired.
Q Are there age requirements/restrictions regarding organ/tissue donation?
A person under age 18 can be registered with The Living Bank with the permission of their parent or legal guardian. However, transplant programs generally want donors to be age 18. Age and medical history should not prevent you from considering organ and tissue donation. Acceptable organs are determined at the time of recovery by the procurement team.
Q Who receives my organ and tissue?
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains a national waiting list. When an organ becomes available the list is reviewed to determine who will receive the organ. Criteria include distance from the donor, blood and tissue type, current physical condition and length of time on the waiting list. Since time is very important, local recipients are considered first, then regional and national recipients. Kidneys are the organs most in demand on the waiting list. Tissue Banks do not have a national waiting list and are allocated through local tissue banks.
Q If I indicate on my driver’s license I want to be a donor, is that enough?
Most states encourage you to sign your driver’s license indicating your wishes. We encourage you to register your wishes and carry a donor card in addition to your license. Many times your driver’s license can be separated from you if you are in an accident. One of the most important elements in becoming an organ donor is that you discuss your wishes with your family, especially your next-of-kin, so that if the time ever comes for a decision, they will know and remember what you wanted.
Q What is required consent or required request?
In 1986 legislation was passed which required all hospitals to develop protocol to ask the next of kin for permission to procure the organs of the patient at the time of impending death. This is why it is so important to discuss donation with your family when you register with The Living Bank, and sign a donor card so they will know your wishes.
Q Will the medical or nursing care be changed because of my decision to be a donor?
NO. Medical professionals involved in general patient care are totally separate from organ transplant professionals. Quality of care will not change, regardless of your decision. The decision to donate is held in strictest confidence by the Registry. All patients will continue to receive the excellent care they deserve, since permission for donation is only possible in the event of death.
Q Will medical or nursing care change because I decide to be a donor?
NO. The quality of care will not change, regardless of your decision. The decision to donate is held in strictest confidence by the Registry. All patients will continue to receive the excellent care they deserve, since permission for donation is only possible in the event of death.
Q How do organ/tissue recovery programs learn of potential donors?
The Living Bank or the hospital contacts an organ procurement organization near the potential donor with this information.
Q What is routine notification?
August 2000 – Medicare regulation, states that all hospitals are to report every death or imminent death to the organ procurement organization for screening to determine the suitability for possible organ, tissue and eye donation. This is why it is so important that you discuss donation with your family when you register with The Living Bank. It is not required that you sign your card in their presence, but it is a good idea so they know your wishes.
Q Can living people donate organs?
Yes. Kidneys are critically needed. Visit the LIVING DONATION site for additional information.
Q How are patients needing organs identified to the recovery team?
All 50 states have patients needing an organ transplant listed on a national computer system. Once consent for donation has occurred the recovery agency places vital information on the donor into the national computer system which provides the names of individuals on the waiting list who are possible recipients for donated organs.
Q Can organs/tissues be transplanted between sexes and races?
YES. The determining factors in identifying a possible recipient are the matching of blood type and body size between the donor and the recipient. There is no matching required for tissue transplants. Note: Because of the genetic matching in kidney transplantation, it is often enhanced by matching organs between members of the same ethnic or racial groups.
Q How long must a patient wait for a transplant?
The time a patient spends on the waiting list for an organ can vary from a few days to several years. The length of the wait is affected by several factors, such as the urgency of their medical condition and the availability of donated organs. Tissue banks have a very limited supply of donated skin, bone, heart valves, tendons and corneas. All patients awaiting an organ or tissue transplant depend upon the generosity of donors and their families to give the gift of life.
Q When must the organs/tissues be removed?
Donated organs will be removed as soon as possible after determination of brain death. Donated tissues must be removed within 24 hours of death.
Q What is brain death?
Death occurs in two ways: cessation of cardiopulmonary function and cessation of brain function. Brain death occurs when a person has an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury which causes all brain activity to stop permanently.
Q What happens when the donated organs are removed?
The transplant team will come to the hospital of the donor. Once the organs have been removed, they are cooled and preserved. The team will quickly return to the hospital where transplantation of that organ will take place.
Q Will the body try to reject the new organ?
Yes. The recipient’s body will identify the transplanted organ as a foreign object and will attempt to destroy it. Medication is required to control this reaction.
Q What happens if the organ is rejected?
Specialized medications are administered to correct the rejection. If the rejection cannot be corrected, lifesaving measures must be taken. Attempts will be made to locate another organ for re-transplantation. Due to the shortage of donated organs, some recipients die before another organ becomes available.
Q Will the identity of the recipients be revealed to the donor family?
The identity of both the donor and the recipient usually remain confidential.
Q How do I become an organ and tissue donor?
The most important step in becoming a donor is to discuss your wishes with your immediate family members. They will be asked at the time of your death to give permission for your donation. After discussing your wishes with your family, fill out a donor form and register with The Living Bank and with your State registry to place a notice on your driver’s licence if available.
Q Is it permissible to sell organs and tissues?
NO. The National Organ Transplant Act prohibits the sale of human organs. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
Q Are there religious objections to organ and tissue donation?
Most major religious groups in the United States approve and support the principles and practices of organ/tissue donation. Should you have doubts, you should discuss them with your spiritual leader and make up your own mind.
Q What do I do if I change my name or address?
When you change your name or address, please advise The Living Bank so we can update your file. This will allow us the opportunity to keep you informed of the important happenings in the field of organ/tissue transplantation and donation.
Q Can I change my mind after I sign a donor card or become part of the Registry?
Yes. Simply destroy the donor card and inform your family of your wishes. If you are a member of the Registry, contact us and your name will be removed.
Q What if I want to donate my body to the advancement of medical science?
To donate your body to medical science you would need to contact a medical school in your area. All medical schools have different guidelines and disqualifiers. You should inquire about these when you contact the medical school. Also, medical schools under federal law have the right to refuse a donation for any reason. (SCHOOLS) The Living Bank can provide names, addresses and phone numbers of medical schools near you. After you have registered with a medical school, be sure to notify The Living Bank in order that your information can be entered in the files. It helps if you include a long self-addressed stamped envelope to obtain a medical school listing or any other information.
Q Is there more you can do?
Quite simply, yes. Our service is free. There is no fee to register and no dues to pay. However, we always welcome contributions. We receive no government funding or United Way support. The Living Bank exists and depends on voluntary contributions from those who believe in the value of its vital mission. Your contributions enable us to expand our important educational programs and increase the number of informed, registered donors.