By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DISCUSS ORGAN DONATION NOW, DON’T WAIT FOR FAMILY MEDICAL CRISIS

Question: Recently my family got into a discussion about organ donation. We discovered that we had more questions than answers. We all realize that this is an important “gift” and answering some of our questions can help us make this decision. What organs can be donated? If I sign my organ donor card, will I still get full treatment if I am ill and go to the emergency room? Can living people donate organs? Who pays the donor’s medical bills?

Answer: Thank you for these questions. Organ donation truly is the “gift of life” for many people, but unfortunately for some, it’s a gift that never arrives. This is because the demand is outstripping the supply. The web site OrganDonor.gov reports daily statistics on organ donation in the United States. As I write this column, there are 98,185 people waiting for transplants. At the same time there have only been 19,249 transplants in 2007 from 9,759 donors (some donors make multiple organ gifts). The stark reality of these figures means that every day 77 people receive organ transplants, but 18 die waiting for organs. So you see, we do have a big problem.

Many organs can be donated. These include the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, intestines, corneas, skin, bone and bone marrow. Bone marrow, a single kidney and part of the liver can be donated by living donors. Most organ donation, however, is from people who have died. Generally the health insurance for the person receiving the transplanted organ pays the costs of organ donation and transplant.

It is good that your family is having this discussion while everyone is healthy. If you wait until a family member is close to death to think about organ donation, your grief may make this decision much more difficult, if not impossible. If you decide to become an organ donor, you should let your family members know, preferably in writing, and sign an organ donor card.

Ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans, historically have had a higher need for transplanted organs than the rate of organ donation. For African Americans the shortage is primarily in the area of kidney transplants. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that while African Americans suffer disproportionately from kidney disorders, they tend to donate at lower rates than the general population.

The good news is that in recent years the rate of organ donation among African Americans has been on the rise, due in large part to successful educational efforts. It’s important that this trend continue because race can play a role in finding genetically matched organs that allow a successful transplant.

As for the level of care received by an organ donor, unless there’s a living will or health-care power of attorney that states otherwise, the patient will continue to receive full treatment as long as it is medically beneficial. Only after it has been determined that further medical treatment is futile, will organ donation be discussed.

During this upcoming holiday season, you should think about signing an organ donor card. Though it’s not something you tie a ribbon around and place under the Christmas tree, it could at some point in the future be a true gift of life for another human being.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.