ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION: A LIFE SAVING PROCESS

Course overview

Since the beginning of organ and tissue donation and transplantation the field has seen some tremendous success and has had a major impact in patients lives. From the first successful skin transplant in 1869 the field has evolved into a lifesaving gift for many patients daily. Major organs are donated daily by living and deceased donors. These major organs include kidneys, heart, lungs, and pancreas. Donation of tissues is also making a huge impact on patients lives such as corneas, ligaments, and heart valves. Today it is even possible to transplant multiple organs to one patient. Last year alone in the US, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible. Another one million people received cornea and other tissue transplants that helped them recover from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss. The need for organ and tissue donations far exceeds the demand for these lifesaving gifts. Currently there are more than 117,300 people on the organ donor wait list in the U.S. Each day, about 79 people receive organ transplants. However, 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can not take place because of the shortage of donated organs. The fact is anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be a donor. Most major religions in the United States support organ donation and consider donation as the final act of love and generosity toward others. There is no cost to donors or their families for organ or tissue donation. As a healthcare provider we can help educate patients about the benefits of being a donor. This is a 2-contact hour course focuses on the amazing lifesaving process of organ and tissue donation. The objective of this course is to make healthcare workers aware of the latest statistics, procedures and fundamental aspects of organ and tissue donation. Topics such as the history of transplants, the organizations which make this life saving process possible, the role of healthcare workers and nurses, as well as the New Jersey Hero Act are all covered in this course.