Horrifying organ donation article

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The nurses have been discussing this for a while and some took themselves off the donor list because the organ donation orgs are pushing Donation after cardiac death instead of brain death.

https://old.reddit.com/r/nursing/comments/1ctill0/i_removed_myself_from_the_organ_donor_registry/

Here is one comment -
"Hey OP, I am a nurse working for an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). I removed myself from the registry after seeing how aggressive OPOs have been with enforcing first person authorized (FPA) DCDs. The CMS has cracked down severely on OPOs to make their “numbers” every year and this year has been intense for all OPOs across the country because they are facing losing their independent status to operate within their service areas.
When you register yourself to be an organ donor and you end up in an unfortunate circumstance that puts you in an eligible position to donate then a few things can happen. 1) you still have brain stem reflexes and your family decides to transition you to comfort care/palliative extubation- this is where donation after cardiac death (DCD) comes in to play. The CMS backs the OPO to TELL family what the next steps are for donation, not ASK. 2) you progress to brain death and are declared clinically and legally deceased per local hospital policy- your family is informed of your registry and the process begins. In both cases, the families do not have to consent, agree, or feel comfortable with the process for it to begin. It is preferred they are on board, but not required. In some cases, hospitals will back the families in the case of them protesting a DCD’s registry and if the hospital chooses to extubate without allowing the OPO to finish the donation process, then the hospital can be heavily fined by the CMS.
The CMS does not recognize consenting to be a donor as informed consent. They consider it a “gift” from one person to another and don’t treat it like it is any other medical procedure being performed in hospitals. This, of course, makes healthcare staff uneasy and has caused countless issues with hospitals across the country. It’s a complex issue and I’m happy to speak on it further if anyone is curious. Ask away!
Also look up: The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) as others have mentioned. I use CMS as a blanket organization sometimes so please forgive me.
Edit: my family knows my wishes to be a donor under specific circumstances so I am not against donation. I’d prefer my family knows my wishes vs. a stranger telling them. Talk to your families people!"

This is absolutely horrifying.

[Anonymous]

We went to the Maryland registry (which is where are Maryland dmv opt in agreements are sent) and opted out. Would like to donate but at the discretion of family, not profit and metric driven nitwits.

[Anonymous]

I opted out in Virginia, but wrote an email to my DH (so that he can refer to it if questioning himself) saying that I support donation and support him in making the call even if I am having reflexive movements. I just want the decision to come from family.

[Anonymous]

This is the link to opt out in California.

https://register.donatelifecalifornia.org/remove/login

[Anonymous]

There are murders described in this article, and I hope some states will file charges accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one needs to panic and take their name off the list. Names on the list only apply to actual brain death. These stories are about circulatory death. And they have to get permission from your family. The solution is to Outlaw these people from the hospitals or stop circulatory death donations. Not to take your name off the list.

In the meantime, have a very clear Advanced Directive or tell your families now you have no interest in being an organ donor in the case of circulatory death

I actually am still fine with potentially being a donor in the case of circulatory death, but it is underlining how important it is to have a bulldog who knows my wishes as my HCPOA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one needs to panic and take their name off the list. Names on the list only apply to actual brain death. These stories are about circulatory death. And they have to get permission from your family. The solution is to Outlaw these people from the hospitals or stop circulatory death donations. Not to take your name off the list.

In the meantime, have a very clear Advanced Directive or tell your families now you have no interest in being an organ donor in the case of circulatory death

I actually am still fine with potentially being a donor in the case of circulatory death, but it is underlining how important it is to have a bulldog who knows my wishes as my HCPOA.

No use to you if your bulldog isn’t able to be there though.