New organ donor rules let teams talk to families sooner
The US organ transplant system is relaxing a rule that kept donation teams away from families until they decided to end life support, according to NPR. Officials say the change will prevent errors and lift donations. Critics warn grieving families could feel pressured.
The US organ transplant system is loosening a long-standing rule meant to protect potential donors, according to NPR. The new rules take effect November 18.
Until now, organ donation teams were not supposed to talk to a patient's family until the family had decided to withdraw life support. The rule was meant to keep pressure off families and to show that doctors were doing all they could to save the patient.
The board of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network voted August 20 to change that rule. Under the new policy, talks about donation can begin once end-of-life talks are under way. The change applies to donation after circulatory death, which happens after life support is withdrawn. NPR reports that now makes up about half of organ donations.
Dr. Raymond Lynch, who directs transplantation at the federal agency that oversees the network, says a strict line gives "a false sense of security." The new rules also make it easier to pause organ retrieval if anyone has concerns, and set common standards for tests that confirm death. Officials say past errors included patients being taken to operating rooms for organ removal while still alive.
Critics say the change is dangerous. "It's a very important bright line," said Dr. Lainie Ross, a bioethicist at the University of Rochester. She says she is "horrified to think that families will feel pressured."
Lois Shepherd, a University of Virginia law and bioethics professor, opposed the change on the group that wrote it. A trade group for organ procurement groups backed it.
More than 109,000 Americans are waiting for an organ, and about 12 die every day because of a shortage, according to the federal agency.
What we know: New transplant rules let donation teams raise donation with families earlier, starting November 18.
What we don't: Only NPR has reported this so far. NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.
Where outlets agree This is one outlet's report, from NPR, on new organ donation rules that take effect November 18.
Where they differ NPR reports federal officials say the change will make donation safer, while bioethicists quoted by NPR say it could pressure grieving families.