U.S. Organ Donations Fail to Meet Need
The American Medical News (AMN) recently posted an article detailing the dire situation within the United States transplantation system. Just over one year ago, almost 100,000 people were on list to receive organ transplant. Many of those individuals die while waiting for an organ. The current procurement system is simply unable to keep up with the significant need.
Other countries have opted for different approaches, particularly the organ procurement process. In the U.S., patients must indicate a desire to become a donor before death. The approval of next of kin is further required, a difficult decision during a trying time.
Alternatively, in Spain, all patients are presumed to be donors unless they express a wish not to be so before their death. In that country, the rate of organs transplanted from cadavers is 35 percent higher than in the U.S. If this policy was adopted in the U.S., it is projected that an additional 14,000 organs would be made available annually.
That sort of policy was previously considered by the Institute of Medicine, in 2005. Also considered at that time was some sort of financial remuneration for donors. Comments shared at the time of the decision indicate suspected backlash from the American community as one factor compelling the decision, along with ethical concerns.
The current situation is under increasing scrutiny from the American Medical Association. The issue was recently added to the association’s list of legislative considerations. Plans are underway to request the U.S. Congress to overturn the 1984 National Organ Transplant Act. That law bans financial incentives for donations.
About three quarters waiting for transplants are would-be kidney recipients. On average, patients wait five years before a viable, matching organ is located. During that time, patients often become increasing ill. This translates into increased cost for the U.S. healthcare system, creating a financial issue along with a dire ethical situation.
October 7, 2008 Related topics: Ethics & Scandals, People