Open

Category Archives: Organ Donation

HomeMedi-Ops  ⁄  Organ Donation
National Donate Life Month is celebrated in April each year to raise awareness of organ donation.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Organ Donation

National Donate Life Month

April has another name – National Donate Life Month! Beginning in April 2023, this observance was established by Donate Life America and has been nationally recognized ever since. This month is all about bringing awareness to eye, tissue, organ donation, and everything surrounding this topic. Awareness and visibility here are invaluable! This month also gives us a chance to honor those who have saved lives through their selfless acts of organ donation. The donation process is an important piece of the medical community puzzle. It brings tremendous personal meaning, stories, and appreciation from families, friends, and recipients of organ, tissue, and eye donations. As receiving an organ, and often a second chance at life, is such a deep and personal experience, there deserves to be significant recognition of the reality of this process.

Being an organ donor is an incredibly selfless and admirable act. So many lives are changed when one individual makes the choice to register as a donor. The recipient of any organ received has a new chance at life. The recipient then gets to share that joy with their family members and friends who love them dearly and are overjoyed at the fact that their loved one is getting such an increased quality of life and endless new opportunities. Doctors, surgeons, and medical staff are able to admire and honor donors, find joy and purpose in delivering good news to recipients, and help their patients as facilitators in the organ donation process. The lives touched at every stage in this process are countless. 

Registering as an organ donor can prove to save up to 8 lives and enhance the lives of 75 or more individuals. This allows you to leave the world doing incredible good and helping others. A tremendously selfless and incredibly generous decision. What a gift to leave behind and a beautiful last act as a human being in this world. Living donation is also a very real possibility and shouldn’t go unnoticed when the topic of organ donation arises. If a loved one is in need of certain tissue transplants or requires a new liver or kidney, an individual who is a good match can make a living organ donation to help their loved one and possibly save their life. Either route for organ donation ends in improving the quality of life for strangers or loved ones. 

MediOps and National Donate Life Month

At Medi-Ops, the honor of being a part of something that matters and changes lives is a source of passion and joy. As specialists in medical transport, we ensure the safe and efficient transportation of blood, organs, tissues, medical supplies, specimens, and the like. Obviously, the medical transportation process of organs is a large factor in organ donation. Getting involved behind the scenes to ensure the safety and integrity of organs, therefore contributing to successful organ transplants, is truly an honor. 

Another fun fact about MediOps is that our colors are blue and green. National Donate Life Month has also adopted these same colors to promote awareness of organ transplant needs and the things that individuals can do to get involved and start saving and healing lives.

What Can You Do?

  1. Register as an organ donor: Consider strongly and decide whether you would like to register as an organ donor. Officially documenting this decision helps you take the first step forward in saving lives and filling the gap between those eagerly waiting for an organ transplant and the organs available for transplant. 
  2. Discuss with family and friends: discussing your decision to be an organ donor with family, friends, and loved ones is a great way to spread awareness as well as loop those who need to know of your decision to handle things better when you pass on. Even if becoming an organ donor is not a decision you have made, having conversations about it is still largely beneficial.
  3. Advocate: keep an eye out for conversations to be had, events to be attended, and opportunities to spread and promote organ donation and the knowledge and significance of its importance. 

Across the board, you can read countless stories from all perspectives about how organ donation positively affects people’s lives. There is a special kind of beauty in seeing the ways that lives are touched through this process. At MediOps, we are proud to not only be a part of the process but also have opportunities to advocate and promote awareness, even in small ways, concerning organ donation. Happy National Donate Life Month!

April is Donate Life Month.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Organ Donation

All Things Organ Transplantation

We know the importance of organ donation and awareness. The selfless act of organ donation saves and benefits countless lives. Thinking through these topics, you may wonder how the transplantation process works and what factors surround it. Look no further because today’s blog is all about organ transplantation—the process, patients, and logistics of it all. 

The Overview

Organ transplantation is, as you may know, the process of replacing an unhealthy or failing organ with a healthy one. Organ donors are either recently deceased or committed to becoming an organ donor before their death or are living donors. Living organ donations consist of kidney or liver transplants, as you can live with only one kidney, and your liver regenerates. The recipient of the organ undergoes major surgery to accept the donation. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of healthy and available organs due to a low number of donors, so not everyone who needs an organ transplant can get one. Recipients can wait years before receiving a transplant, and others don’t have that much time to wait. Around 40,000 organ transplants occur in the US every year; however, the need always exceeds the supply. Read more about organ donation and how you can get involved in saving lives here!

The Process 

Matching: The major organs that can be donated are your liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, lungs, intestines, uterus, and some other tissues. If a healthcare provider recommends a transplant for any of these organs, they will make a referral to a transplant hospital, where an evaluation process will commence. Once the hospital has determined if the patient meets the criteria and qualifies for a transplant, they will be placed on a waiting list. UNOS (the United Network for Organ Sharing) oversees this list. The patient waiting must be matched with a donor. Matching involves checking that the donor and receiver’s blood type, body size, and physical factors are compatible. Once this is determined, the needs and priorities of patients are considered before officially matching an organ to a recipient. 

Coordination: Once the recipient matches an organ, the transplant center they are connected with will receive information about the organ and ask if they accept. Once accepted, logistics must be coordinated. This involves notifying the patient, arranging medical staff and operating space, and ensuring the arrival of transplant surgery teams. 

Recovery: Specialized surgical transplant teams are highly trained and qualified to recover organs from the donor. This process is done with tremendous care and respect for the donor and their family. Extreme caution is taken in preserving the donor’s body as much as possible so that families still have all options available for end-of-life plans and celebrations. The extracted organs then must be packaged in specified containers and maintained at the proper temperature while in transit to the recipient. 

Transportation: The organ now has an exciting and crucial journey to the healthcare facility of the recipient. This can involve a simple drive to another hospital or may require air transport depending on the location of both donor and recipient. Some organs have as little as 6 hours of viability, so the transportation process needs to be fast and efficient. The organ must have perfect transport conditions as well in terms of time, temperature, and stability. 

Transplantation: Upon the organ’s arrival, the recipient will wait at their healthcare facility. The surgery now begins, which can be complex and may take several hours. Once complete, the recipient will begin their rehabilitation process to ensure acceptance of the organ and an efficient recovery. The donor’s family will also be thanked and notified of a successful transplant. The identities of both recipient and donor are kept confidential in most cases unless either party has disclosed and wanted to share their identity with the other. 

The Why

Donating your organs after death can save up to eight lives, restore the sight of two people, heal 75 burn and wound victims, and change a recipient’s life forever and, by extension, all of their family and loved ones’ lives. Making a living donation can also have so many positive effects on either those you know or complete strangers. The world we live in can always use some good. Registering as an organ donor is just one way to accomplish that!

Organ Donation Kidney
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Organ Donation

Why Does Organ Donation Matter?

In modern medicine, needs are constantly arising and claiming the number one priority for hospitals, patients, providers, and the like. A constant thread in this process has been the priority and importance of organ donation and the processes surrounding it. Taking a look and understanding the processes gives the necessary knowledge to individuals and communities alike to recognize organ donation’s incredible importance. The tremendous impact that organ transplants have on the recipients, their families, and loved ones can’t be understated. As we approach April, also known as National Donate Life Month, it’s time to brush up on the importance and logistics of the donation process.

A quick Google search can give you hundreds of inspiring and beautiful stories and accounts of organ donors and recipients sharing their stories. Lives are transformed in beautifully wild and wonderful ways. The mother of one organ donor shares her story of her son and his experience with a brain condition ultimately resulting in his death and donation of 6 organs, saving 6 lives, inspiring a scholarship program, promoting awareness and appreciation among his college and loved ones, and changing the perspective of the meaning of generosity. Another story from a now 15-year-old girl is an inspiring recount of the two heart transplants she has received in her life, how she has worked to recover and pursue her passions of dance, and can advocate and inform her friends about organ donation and the importance of signing up as an organ donor. Yet another family discusses how their young family member passed in a fatal car accident, and because of his choice to be an organ donor, he was able to save 20 lives. The knowledge that the tragic death of their son turned into a beautiful expression of life and helping others helped them to wrestle and process their grief.

The stories and accounts surrounding this topic go on and on. After reading just a select few, anyone can see what a gift the process of donation is. There is a beauty that comes with turning sometimes grief-filled and tragic circumstances under which donors can share themselves and give others a second chance at life even after they are gone.

Process of Organ Donation

It is valuable to understand the donation process from the donor’s experience to the recipient’s experience. Below is the process of deceased organ donation; however, living donation is also possible in certain cases.

  1. Registration: Registering to be an organ donor is where it all begins. As soon as the age of 16, individuals can register themselves as organ donors and proudly display that heart on their driver’s license or ID. Making your loved ones aware of registration is not only valuable information for them to have but also shares and opens a conversation surrounding the why behind that decision.
  2. Discussion: When the donor passes, the medical team has conversations amongst themselves and with family members to discuss the options and maintain care, dignity, and respect of the donor. The organ waitlist is checked, and a match is found.
  3. Organ Recovery: The organs donated need to be working and functioning well. Because of this, major organs come from individuals who pass away in a hospital and can be procured and preserved well. Strict time requirements come into play here, and the process goes quickly to ensure the integrity of the organs. Eye and tissue donations can be processed up to 24 hours after death, so have more time. Once all authorization and matching are completed, the organs are surgically removed while the donor is treated with high regard and respect.
  4. Transport: The recovered organs are sent to the transplant hospitals where the recipients wait for their operation.
  5. Procedure: The appropriate procedures and surgeries are conducted to complete a successful organ transplant. 
  6. Follow-up: A letter is sent to the donor’s family to share the recipient’s appreciation for the organs donated, as well as counseling and funeral resources, all while maintaining respect and medical confidentiality.

Transporting Organs

The transportation process is an essential part of this process, as organs have a short window from recovery to transplant. Ground or air transportation may be required to respect the time restrictions and viability of the organ or tissues being donated. Temperature-controlled containers and vehicles and safe and reliable vehicle operators are other components of this process. Effective transportation in these cases is imperative to a successful experience for all involved.

Why Become an Organ Donor?
Here at Medi-Ops, it is an honor to be involved in such an intense and imperative organ donation process and all the stories, logistics, and advocacy involved. The opportunity that each of us has to contribute to someone else’s life after we pass is a wonderfully unique and beautiful way to celebrate our own life and honor someone else’s. Registration and becoming an organ donor is one act that may be a small thing for you. Still, it could save several lives and positively affect countless others during and after your life. The organ waitlist is no small one. Many wait over three years (and that is on the lower end of the waiting spectrum) to be matched with an organ. By taking the time to register, you can help lower the number of individuals waiting for organs and significantly raise the quality of life for so many. Just some food for thought for your day today…

Medical Logistics Summary
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services, Medical & Healthcare News, Organ Donation, Radiopharmaceuticals

Write That Down! Documentation and Compliance in Medical Transportation

While the subject of documentation and record keeping often goes undiscussed or explored, it is an administrative reality that everyone is familiar with. Let’s be honest – documentation, filing, records, and miscellanies admin tasks aren’t always the most exciting parts of jobs, conversations, or our days. However, when it comes down to it, there is extreme importance on documentation and compliance within various governing bodies and organizations. The concept and action of documentation ensures that standards are being met and that all communication is clear and uncomplicated.

Why Documentation?

First off, documentation has incredible importance not only in maintaining the smooth running of operations and communications, but also in compliance. State and federal regulations for both ground and air transportation have certain standards that medical companies, organizations, providers, and institutions need to keep up with in order to maintain compliance. 

There is a base level of documentation and standards required in order for an organization to be running smoothly. Failure to report and document information threatens the integrity and safety of those involved. This can affect individuals specifically as well as the company or organization as a whole. Losing trust or compliance with governing bodies can also be detrimental and result in revoked licenses or certifications as well as destroying industry reputation. 

Government Bodies and Requirements

As a medical logistics and transportation program, our clientele ranges from those more in the transportation business, to researchers, to medical products, to suppliers, providers, and medical and emergency facilities. Therefore, compliance requirements can vary depending on the client and products being transported or worked with. However, there is value in understanding why documentation is required and the purpose of compliance in any case or situation. 

FAA: The Federal Aviation Administration uses compliance as a means of identifying any safety issues and deviations from standards to apply corrective actions and measures as quickly as possible. 

DOT: The Department of Transportation utilizes compliance to maintain and develop safe transport of vehicles, cargo, shipping containers, etc. Meeting and exceeding the standards DOT has surrounding safety-sensitive issues results in compliance.

NRC: The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission gives licenses and certifications based on compliance and requirements met. Failure to meet compliance results in revoked licenses and suspensions from the commission. 

TSA: the Transportation Security Administration also highlights safety as a huge reason for extensive compliance requirements. In situations such as providing on-board couriers and air transportation, these compliances are essential. Without them, there’s not a chance that air transport will even be an option.

DHS: the Department of Homeland Security emphasizes, you guessed it, the safety and security of all parties involved in transportation processes. No surprises here! 

IATA: International Air Transport Association has an incredible number of partnerships with governments, airports, transportation companies, etc. Therefore, their main goal with compliance is to ensure that all bodies have the essential information needed.

A common thread in looking through all of these governing bodies’ compliance statements and standards is the issues of safety and communication. Documentation and upkeep are essential in maintaining these compliance standards, and therefore maintaining the integrity of organizations and the safety of all parties involved in operations. 

Compliance and Its Importance

Essentially, all organizations must maintain regulatory compliance. This is a set of procedures and regulations that support the governing body’s requirements. Most compliance within the medical transportation world is aimed at supporting high-quality transportation, safety, and data security. The transportation world, specifically medical transportation, involves a high number of logistics to maintain the integrity of products being transported as well as patient safety if patients are being transported. Therefore, a lot of thought and safety checks are involved in these processes. All of these need to be documented and recorded to ensure that all operations are running smoothly. The governing bodies that are overseeing some of these processes and transports need this information as well to ensure that safety and security standards are being met. Failure in compliance can result in several serious consequences ranging from financial effects and fines to destroyed reputations. 

MediOps Makes it Easier

One of the priorities of Medi-Ops is innovative and future-forward thinking. Because of this, our custom software allows us to maintain documentation requirements for our clients without them having to record documentation of their own. One less task and worry for our clients means that we are not only taking care of medical logistics needs but taking that extra step where clients can truly know that every aspect and detail – from big orders and transportation needs down to documentation – is being taken care of. This allows them to focus on the crucial medical work they are completing without having to spend extra time on admin tasks.

The technology and software that allow Medi-Ops to maintain documentation are the same systems that provide transparency and tracking of shipments. Clients are easily able to track and see shipments in real-time, knowing that every detail and requirement is being taken care of.

All in all, the reality of documentation importance can’t be dismissed – from both a practical standpoint to a compliance standard. That’s why Medi-Ops cares enough to develop technology to further support clients in this aspect of medical fieldwork. No detail is too small to develop future-forward and innovative ways to approach and address it.

Medi-Ops National Donate Life Month
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Organ Donation

National Donate Life Month

Since 2003, April has been named National Donate Life Month. The significance of this month lies in awareness and education surrounding organ donation. Organ donors save countless lives every year, yet many individuals are still waiting for organ transplants. For the last twenty years, April is set aside to recognize the sacrifices made by donors as well as encourage individuals to consider becoming donors. 

Donate Life America started this memorial month to promote awareness and respect surrounding organ donors and the process of donation. Being an organ donor means giving others a chance at life and infusing hope into individuals on the donor list and their families. The organ donor list is extensive, and many people wait three to five years for a match. Think of what it would look like if more people were organ donors and that list could get shorter and shorter!

Organ Donation Process

How does organ donation actually work? And what is the process like from someone deciding to be an organ donor to a patient receiving that organ?

  1. Donor Identification and Eligibility: The first part of this process is an individual deciding to become a donor. When the donor passes and it’s time to access organ donation, they are medically evaluated to determine eligibility. 
  2. Authorization: If this person had already consented to be an organ donor, documentation of that decision is confirmed. A respectful and sensitive conversation is also had with family members. If there is no evidence this person made the decision to be an organ donor during their lifetime but is a good candidate, then the next of kin is contacted for familial consent.
  3. Matching for Recipients: While the donor is being medically maintained, all of the donor’s relevant medical information and viable organ information is evaluated to match the donated organs to potential recipients. Recipients are given organs depending on how long they have been on the waiting list as well as the urgency of their condition. Recipients must also match medically with the donor’s blood type, body size, and sometimes genetic tissue type. Once the best-fit recipient is identified and confirmed, transplant surgeons and relevant medical care teams for both donor and recipient are contacted.
  4. Organ Recovery and Transportation: The organ is then surgically recovered from the donor and transported to the recipient’s medical facility. Organ transport varies depending on the distance needing to be traveled, however, all organs have specific time windows, and every minute counts. Fast and efficient transportation is essential in these situations so that organs are stored properly during transportation and stay viable. After recovery, organs are preserved using special solutions and temperature control. Organs are sometimes sent long distances and require a flight – charter flights or commercial courier flights are both options here. Organs must be monitored and tracked to ensure the safety and integrity of both the organ and the recipient.
  5. Organ Received!: Once the organ is safely handed off to the recipient’s surgeons and medical care team, the organ transplant surgery can be performed, and a life is saved.
  6. Follow-Up and Future Plans: Organ donation is a dignified, respectful process to the donor and their family. Families of donors can continue with funeral, burial, and end-of-life plans after organs are recovered from the donor. The honor and respect given to the families of these donors is an important part of this process that can’t be forgotten!

Medi-Ops and Organ Donation

Medi-Ops is involved in the organ donation process through our expertise in medical transportation. Organs need to be moved from one place to another quickly, and the transportation options that Medi-Ops provides, along with courier services and tracking software, ensure that this process goes seamlessly. 

Did you know that the colors for Medi-Ops reflect the colors for National Donate Life Month? Green and blue represent the awareness surrounding organ donation. Wearing blue and green this month is just one way to celebrate and promote organ donation this month!

What Can You Do?

If you are an organ donor, hats off to you and your decision to help save lives and make selfless acts to help others! If you have never considered becoming an organ donor before, it’s something to think about. It is also an easy process to move toward becoming a donor. Registering through your state registry or at your local motor vehicle department are both ways to officially commit to becoming a donor. A new feature of the Health app is the ability to register from there if you are an iPhone user. It sends your information to the national system where you are named an organ donor. Telling your family about the decision and making sure they are aware of your choices and reasoning can help make the process smoother when the time comes and can also help spread awareness and educate others about organ donation.
When donating organs and tissues after you die, as many as eight lives can be saved and up to 75 can be improved. This is such a significant number of people who can have a better chance at life because one donor decided they wanted to help others in need even after death. There are so many incredible stories from recipients of organ donation about how receiving an organ absolutely changed their life. For the month of April, think kindly about National Donate Life Month and the impacts that you can make as an organ donor!

1 2