SUPPORTING ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION IN CLINICAL SETTINGS: THE PENNSYLVANIA REQUIREMENT

Course overview

EVERY DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, APPROXIMATELY 13 PEOPLE DIE WAITING FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT. AS OF EARLY 2026, MORE THAN 100,000 INDIVIDUALS REMAIN ON THE NATIONAL TRANSPLANT WAITING LIST, AND A NEW NAME IS ADDED EVERY 8 MINUTES. IN PENNSYLVANIA ALONE, MORE THAN 6,000 RESIDENTS ARE AWAITING LIFESAVING TRANSPLANTS, YET THE GAP BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND PERSISTS --NOT SOLELY DUE TO A LACK OF WILLING DONORS, BUT OFTEN BECAUSE OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CLINICAL SETTING. PENNSYLVANIA LAW, UNDER ACT 90 OF 2018, MANDATES THAT LICENSED NURSES AND PHYSICIANS RECEIVE EDUCATION IN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AS PART OF THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. THIS COURSE FULFILLS THAT OBLIGATION. ITS PURPOSE IS NOT MERELY REGULATORY COMPLIANCE; IT IS TO EQUIP THE BEDSIDE CLINICIAN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, CONFIDENCE, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL DONORS, SUPPORT GRIEVING FAMILIES, COLLABORATE WITH PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND DELIVER COMPASSIONATE CARE AT ONE OF THE MOST SENSITIVE MOMENTS IN THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.