Organ procurement has become one of the largest advancements in modern medicine. With the help of organ donors and their families, the real heroes (!!!), organ procurement improves the quality of life for individuals by giving the recipients a second chance at life.
Recently, the need for organ donation has risen dramatically. In 2018, ~36,527 transplants were performed and every day, roughly 22 people died due to organ death. Currently, there are 117,000+ people including men, women, and children on the national transplant waiting list in the United States alone. A new person is added to this list every 10 minutes.
Despite the honor and importance, organ donors are always in short supply! A single organ donor can save up to 8 different lives by donating organs including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, and pancreas alongside tissue, skin, and bone marrow. Sadly, we live in a time where there is a far longer list of people who need these organs, than people who are willing to donate them.
Timely Organ Procurement and Transplantation Saves Lives
Organ transportation services offered by Medi-Ops, based in Colorado, are utilized by hospitals, clinics, and private parties to transport patient’s organs with the utmost care. Our organ transport operations are made possible by our specialty fleet, and medical personnel, who are certified at delivering this precious cargo! Whether you need to transport organs, tissue, or procurement teams, we have the right transport situation for you.
Since Colorado has a dynamic landscape, there are scenarios where our ground vehicles are ineffective due to weather and a handful of other factors. Our solution? Our organ transportation services contract with independent operators to use rotor and fixed-wing aircraft. By doing this, we saving lives by successfully aiding in this time-sensitive organ exchange.
Organ transplant is enhancing and saving precious lives every day! That said, for years, misconceptions have prevented people from registering as organ donors. If you are interested in organ donation, and are being held back by something you heard online, or from a friend, then we encourage you to check out our list of 11 common misconceptions about organ transplant and organ procurement below:
Misconception #1: Only young people can be organ donors
THE TRUTH: Age does not necessarily determine the viability of organ donation or organ procurement! In 2016, 33% of organ donors in the United States were over the age of 50. Organ donors can range from young, to old, and only a complete medical evaluation at the time of death can help determine if a person is suitable for organ donation.
Misconception #2: The recipient of the organ/s knows who the donor is
THE TRUTH: According to state laws, the identity of the donor is not revealed. The organ recipient and their family may receive information regarding age, sex, state of residence and circumstances of death, but the identity of the organ donor will be kept confidential. Similarly, the donor family might be informed regarding the transplant that was performed, and receive feedback regarding the health of the recipient after the transplant! However, in certain circumstances, donor families and recipients can choose to contact each other through a procurement center, such as Donor Alliance, here in Colorado.
Misconception #3: Organ donation can delay the funeral
THE TRUTH: Organ donation generally takes place within 10 – 12 hours and therefore does not delay the funeral of the deceased.
Misconception #4: Cancer patients cannot become organ donors
THE TRUTH: This is not entirely true – it depends on the type and location of cancer. There cancer survivors who have been organ donors! However, in order for medical personnel to determine whether or not a cancer patient or survivor can donate organs, they must conduct a complete medical examination of the donor. The initial findings regarding care, follow up-care, and condition of the body at death is studied and measured to determine the viability of these organs for donation.
Misconception #5: HIV+ patients cannot be organ donors
THE TRUTH: This can vary on a case by case basis. As with any organ donation, medical evaluation is necessary and must be conducted by specific hospitals such as University Hospital in Colorado.
Misconception #6: Family of the organ donor will be paid or will have to pay for donating organs
THE TRUTH: Costs related to organ donation are not the responsibility of the organ donor’s family. Donor families do not receive any payment or reimbursement nor are there any costs. Costs related to the recovery of donor organs and tissues are the complete responsibility of the recovery agency. The donors family is only responsible for the funeral cost. Any additional cost incurred due to additional preparation of the donor’s body for the funeral is covered by the recovery agency, such as Donor Alliance.
Misconception #7: Organs of donors are sold to the highest bidders
THE TRUTH: Buying or selling organs is illegal and under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act of 1984, human organs cannot be bought or sold in the United States. Violators of this Act are subjected to strict fines and imprisonment. According to the national policy established by UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing), recovered organs are required to be appropriately matched to recipients and then distributed.
Misconception #8: Rich people move up faster in the transplant waiting list
THE TRUTH: Organ procurement and organ transplant is an unbiased process. United States transplant centers and UNOS work together to create a waiting list. In which, priority is given on the basis of medical and scientific factors. The organ allocation and distribution system are blind to factors such as gender, age, race, social or wealth status of the recipient. The time it takes for a person to receive a transplant depends on a number of medical factors including blood type, the severity of illness, time on a waiting list, as well as a variety of other medical criteria.
Misconception #9: Family of the organ donor do not need to know about the donor’s intentions to donate organs if it’s mentioned in their will or on their driver’s license
THE TRUTH: By the time a will is read to the donor’s family, or the driver’s license is checked for information, it is normally too late to recover organs. Organ transplant and organ procurement is a time-sensitive process which is why it is advisable for the donor to inform their family regarding their intentions of becoming an organ donor to ensure their wish is honored.
Misconception #10: People who donate their body to science can still donate their organs and tissue
THE TRUTH: You will not be able to donate your organs if you donate your body to science. Scientific facilities require the entire body for research and study which, is why you will be unable to donate your organs or tissue for organ transplant services. In some cases, however, donors are still able to donate their eyes.
Misconception #11: Organ donation disfigures the body and loved ones will be unable to hold an open-casket funeral
THE TRUTH: Organ donation does not disfigure the body or interfere with traditional funeral arrangements, such as an open casket. Because donated organs are removed surgically, doctors ensure that utmost dignity and respect are maintained for the donor at all times. Doctors will also be careful to reconstruct the body of the donor. Surgical lines are fully covered by clothing, and plastic bones are used to allow the shape of the legs and arms to remain the same after bone donation. A plastic cap is placed over the eyes to maintain the shape of the closed eyelids for eye donors.
Here at Medi-Ops, we understand that organ procurement and organ transplant is a sensitive sector, which is why we seamlessly facilitate communication and processes between Organ Procurement Organizations and organ transportation services. Our organ transportation services have proven to be life-saving, and critical, for organ recipients.
The window of time for organ transport is short, which is why at Medi-Ops, we have a multi-step activation protocol to ensure that our organ transportation services viable and life-saving. We will even wait on scene, free of change, and only bill if the transport is successful. Our team has achieved 100% HIPAA compliance over hundreds of donor-related service requests in the past few years. Please don’t hesitate to speak to a patient care coordinator today to learn more, or request a quote.