Organ transplants — KU Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is on the organ transplant unit spec?
- sanctity of life
- organ procurement
- organ allocation
- religious & non religious responses
What are organ transplants
When donor decides to give a part or whole organ, such as kidney or lung lobe, to a recipient who will suffer unless they get the organ.
What is organ procurement?
This is when an organ is taken from a patient and can be used for research, allocated to medical schools or for transplantation into a recipient. The donor can be living or brain dead
What is organ allocation
Organ allocation is when organs are given to those who will benefit from it and patients who need it most.
If possible, they are allocated to patients based on most urgent medical needs. However, some organs may be allocated to medical schools for learning or research in labs.
What is a living donor?
A person who wants to donate a whole or part of their organ either for altruistic (selfless) reasons or non-altruistic reasons to save a family member, for example. The donor must provide informed consent, which shows they understand what organ procurement and transplantation entails, as well as the potential risks to themselves.
What is informed consent
When the patient agrees to a medical procedure, having being explained by a health care professional the process, its potential risks and complications. Informed consent is only valid if the patient is deemed to have capacity by a medic, which is always assumed to be so unless shown otherwise.
Presumed consent
This is when someone doesn’t make an explicit choice about their view on organ donation during their lifetime, so it is assumed that they would have consented. This is in place in countries which practice opt-out system for organ transplants. For example, the UK, Spain and Sweden.
Difference between opt-in and opt-out
Opt-in is a system where when one dies, and they haven’t made an explicit choice about organ donation, it’s assumed that they would not have consented as they have not opted in.
Opt-out system is where one dies, having not recorded an explicit decision on organ transplantation, so it’s assumed that they would have consented because they have not opted out.
Soft opt-out Vs. Hard opt-out
Soft
- when the patient dies, although it’s assumed they would have consented, the proxy are asked about whether the patient’s view has changed or whether this is what they would have wanted.
Hard
- although it’s good practice to ask the proxy whether the patient’s has changed or whether this is what they would have wanted, the medics don’t have to ask this and can go ahead with organ procurement.
Inequality in organ allocation
There are inequalities in organ allocation, due to lack of organs from people of ethnic minorities, as suggested in figure of NHS From 22-23. This sources shows that there are 2237 vs. 246 ethnic minority groups waiting for an organ transplant compared to non-ethnic minority groups
What is beating heart donation
When a heart is taken when it’s still beating after a person meets the criteria for being brain dead to minimise the risk of death to the recipient and maximise chance of success due to the heart’s viability
What are some of the conditions to being classified as brain dead?
- when someone is unconscious and fails to respond to outside stimulus
- someone’s heartbeat can only be maintained using a ventilator
- clear evidence that serious brain damage has occurred and can’t be cured
What is brain death?
This is when the brain has complete, permanent and irreversible loss of brain function, which can be caused by trauma, or a condition, like a stroke.
What principles can be used for organ allocation?
Net utility, justice, respect
What is net utility
Principle used to evaluate the possible good, quality of life, survival, alternative treatment and harm.
