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Anyone can be a potential organ and tissue donor, from newborns to senior citizens (roughly 80 years old). Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis at the time of death and may be affected by medical/social history, cause of death, etc.
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What is the difference between organ and tissue donation?
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Organ (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas) donation can only be done on a donor who has been declared brain dead but whose other organs are kept functioning by sophisticated hospital machinery. Because brain death is not a common occurrence, viable organ donors are rare. Tissue donation (eyes, bone, skin, veins, heart valves, tendons, etc.) can occur even after the heart has ceased beating. Most deaths are potential tissue donors (depending on a medical, social history, etc.). Organ donors can also be tissue donors.
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How much does donation cost the donor family?
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Nothing. Donation is a gift - there is no charge to the donor, the donor's family, or the donor's estate. When the donor is pronounced dead they are "discharged" from the hospital (for accounting purposes) and "readmitted" as a "donor". All laboratory tests, surgical fees, doctor's fees, etc. are then billed to the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO): Intermountain Donor Services (IDS).
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If I donate can I have an opened casket funeral?
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Yes - if the injury which caused the death wasn't so traumatic that it would prevent an open casket funeral (e.g., massive head trauma). Organ and tissue donation involves standard surgical techniques and the suture lines are located where clothing will cover them. Prosthetic devices are used with bone and eye donation to maintain body form. Most organ and tissue donors opt for open casket funerals, depending on family wishes and original injuries.
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How are organs and tissues recovered?
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Organs are recovered in an sterile operating room using qualified surgical personnel and protocols. Tissues are often recovered in operating rooms but can also be recovered in sterile surgical facilities at medical examiners' offices or at some mortuaries. All donations are a precious gift and are treated with respect and dignity. Standard surgical sutures or staples are used to close the incisions - just as with any operation. If needed during tissue donation, prosthetic devices will be used to maintain the body's original form.
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Can I choose what is donated?
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Yes - on the registry you can specify what you want to donate, or what you may wish not to donate. You also have the option to choose donation for research. Some people specify certain organs or tissues, some choose for transplantation only. It's completely up to you.
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This is kind of personal, so why should I "share my decision?"
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Being a registered donor or having "donor" indicated on your driver license serves as legal documentation of your wishes. Share your wishes with your family. It will make the donation process much easier for them if they know your wishes.
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How is it determined who gets priority for transplants?
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There is a standard system which doctors and transplant centers use to rank transplant candidates solely based on severity of illness and medical criteria. When a donated organ becomes available, a list is generated from UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) which ranks recipients based on proximity to donor (because of time constraints on donated organs), blood type, length of time on waiting list, severity of illness, size compatibility of organs, tissue types (for kidneys), etc. Things such as income, name, gender, age, race, etc., are never considered and are not published on the UNOS list.
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Why are there still so many people needing organ transplants?
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With new technology and medical procedures, many lives that would have been lost ten years ago can now be saved by organ transplantation. Many of these people waiting are children, and few adult donors can donate to children. However, the number of organs donated hasn't been able to keep pace with the need - thousands of people die every year waiting for an organ donation. When
you consider that one organ donor can save approximately nine lives through organ donation - and improve dozens more through tissue donation - the importance of becoming a donor is much more apparent.
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Will being a registered donor change my level of care in the hospital?
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The first priority for medical personnel is to save the lives of their patients. The hospital staff does not have access to registry information. Organ and tissue donation is not even discussed until every life saving option is exhausted and death has been declared or is imminent. The doctors and nurses at the medical center are completely separate from those who work for the organ and tissue recovery organizations. The hospital staff's main purpose is to save your life. It isn't until death has happened, or is imminent, that the recovery organization is contacted. Only the recovery agency has access to registry information. The recovery organization staff manages the care of the donor with dignity and respect and will explain the donation process with the family.
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Do major religions support donation?
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Most religions support and consider donation an act of charity. It is a way to affirm a deceased person's generosity and goodness. If you have any questions about the beliefs of your religion regarding donation, you should discuss them with your spiritual leader.
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Registration forms can be obtained at most major pharmacies and the Department of Motor Vehicle locations throughout the state of Utah. A registry form can be downloaded under Donor Registration/Ways to Register. All registration forms should be mailed to: Utah Donor Registry, 230 South 500 East, #290, Salt Lake City, UT 84102.
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