About this topic
An organ donation is taking a healthy organ and tissue from one person and transplanting it into some other person. Most organ and tissue donations happen after the donor has died. Some organs and tissues can be donated while the donor is alive. ‚
Organs you can donate: ‚
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Heart
- Lungs
- Small bowel
- Pancreas
Tissues you can donate: ‚
- Cornea from eyes
- Bone
- Skin
- Heart valves
- Tendons
- Cartilage
- Bone marrow
There are a few ways to donate an organ: ‚
- After brain stem death (which is also known as brain death) ¢ ˆ ’ When the donor has been confirmed to have brain stem death due to a bad brain injury. In-depth testing is done to make sure the donor has brain stem death. The donor stays on a ventilator to keep oxygen and blood flowing to the organs until the surgeon is ready to remove them.
- After heart death ¢ ˆ ’ When the donor has been confirmed to have no heartbeat. The donated organs must be removed within a few minutes after the donors heart stops beating.
- Live organ donation ¢ ˆ ’ When the donor is still alive after donating an organ. It most often involves a family member donating an organ to some other family member. A donor who is not a family member of the receiver is called an altruistic donor.
General
Anyone can be an organ donor. You have to: ‚
- Have a healthy body
- Have no infections or other health problems
- Be more than 18 years old
- Have consent from your parents if you are younger than 18 years old
- Sign up as a donor so that the hospitals can reach you when you are needed
- Be a good match for a patient who needs an organ or tissue
People who cannot be a donor are: ‚
- People with health problems like HIV, liver disease, or heart disease
- People born with blood illnesses
- People with active infections
- Homosexual men who are sexually active
- People who do not have a consent to donate organs
- Some cancer patients
How to be an organ donor: ‚
- Go to a hospital or center where you can sign up as a donor. Many states have an organ donation registry on hand when you get or renew your drivers license.
- Tell your family that you want to donate your organs. If you die, your family may be asked about donating your organs if you have not signed up to be a donor.
- For live organ and tissue donors, you are given a series of tests to make sure you are healthy before you donate.
- The blood and tissue type of both the donor and the receiver will be checked for matching.
- If you sign up to be an organ donor after you die, legally, your wishes will be carried out upon death.
What will the results be?
This may save a life or it may help a persons health and quality of life. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
For a live donor: ‚
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, sports, or driving.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- If you are not feeling better
Where can I learn more?
Donate Life America ‚
http://donatelife.net/understanding-donation/organ-donation/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Organ-donation/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚