Question
•
Health Care
Patients awaiting organ transplants should decide in advance whether they’re willing to take substandard kidneys, livers and other organs, including those at risk for infectious diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C. That’s the conclusion of University of Pennsylvania scientists and ethicists who want to overhaul a piecemeal system they say fails to adequately inform some patients of potential problems while allowing others to "cherry-pick" donors, accepting or rejecting specific organs based on certain risk factors at the time of transplant.
The Pennsylvania authors said the issue was highlighted last year by the case of a Chicago man whose transplanted organs infected four people with HIV and hepatitis C. Although the 38-year-old car crash victim did not test positive for HIV at the time of his death, local officials knew the man had engaged in behaviors that raised his risk of infection. Recipients were not informed of the risks at the time of transplant, and at least one patient now plans to sue the transplant agency and the hospital. Even with strict screening, there’s still a remote chance that some organs could be infected or otherwise damaged.
The Pennsylvania authors said the issue was highlighted last year by the case of a Chicago man whose transplanted organs infected four people with HIV and hepatitis C. Although the 38-year-old car crash victim did not test positive for HIV at the time of his death, local officials knew the man had engaged in behaviors that raised his risk of infection. Recipients were not informed of the risks at the time of transplant, and at least one patient now plans to sue the transplant agency and the hospital. Even with strict screening, there’s still a remote chance that some organs could be infected or otherwise damaged.
Loading...-
Answered Tell patients that acceptance of organs is at their risk or if they wish to wait for accuracy of healthy organ
That and the better solution is live with what God gave you and accept your fate. This is yet another reason why I won't permit transfusions let alone transplants. -
Answered Develop more accurate and faster technology that screens for infected organs.
Everything is life is a risk, and when you are facing death, more than likely most patients would opt for the risk in order to extend their life.
I am a living kidney donor and I can tell you that the testing you go through to donate one of your kidneys is extensive. The best and most complete medical check up you will ever receive. That being said, if you are 100% healthy, you can donate a kidney and I will tell you from experience, it is a piece of cake for the donor. You are out of the hospital in 48 hours, no pain, and back to work within 10 days. Maybe more folks could step up and make the decision to donate one of those kidneys they don't need.
Answered I have a better solution:
all of the first three....this is sad...imagine thinking you had another chance at life...only to find out...you don't.