Organ Donor Essays - Organ Donation, Medical Ethics, Grief

Organ Donor Ever since organ donation became a way of saving lives, there has been a shortage of organ donators. Attempts are being made to solve the organ donor shortage by meeting the bereaved family's needs. Aspects of the grieving process are considered in attempts to reconcile the need of donated organs and lessen the trauma to the family of asking for the organ donation. Factors that influence the experience of grief for the family are examined in an attempt to lessen the pain. Many factors affect how bereaved individuals will respond to a loss. The loss is not always immediate since some patients may linger on for hours or days. It is also hard for the family if their love one is brain dead because it is difficult to consider it the same as death. Physical and psychological factors were looked at. These two factors determine a person's reaction to the loss and role-played in the morning process. These issues were addressed in detail in an attempt to understand what stage of the morning processes the person is in. The relationship of the deceased person to the bereaved member is an important factor in determining what impact the patient's death will have. The loss of a child may so grieve parents that they inadvertently ignore surviving children. Men also are easily overlooked in the grieving process because they generally are more reluctant to express their feelings publicly and may not receive the support they need. It was clearly stated that just because people played similar roles did not mean they experienced the same feelings of grief. If the circumstances of the death were violent, it was more painful for the bereaved family members to comprehend its reality. The same exists when details of the death were unknown. Family networks, church affiliations and friends who can support a bereaved person during the mourning process help in facilitating the recovery process. Frequently the critical care nurse is placed in a position of asking the bereaved family to consider donating organs from the loved one they have just lost or are soon expected to lose. All factors involved in the grieving process must be considered and nursing staff or organ donor support staffs have to be very sensitive to the needs of the bereaved person. The nurse has to assist the bereaved person through as much of the grieving process as possible. The feelings of the bereaved person by the nurse through sensitive, uncondemning acknowledgement. It was felt by the author that a nurse who has become familiar to the family and has shared in its tragedy may be the person who can most sensitively suggest organ donation at the critical moment. The family needs to have an opportunity to say their good-bys. Reflecting on this reading, today's nurses have a big responsibility in trying to decide the "right" time to ask the family for the organ donation. Timing is everything in this situation. I gained a better understanding of what these nurses go through and how difficult it must be for them. On the other hand, I know there must be a wonderful feeling when they are able to obtain an organ and save a life. I've never considered all the factors mentioned in this article about death and grieving. I know that it is difficult to consider the possibility of donating one's own organs or those of a loved one, especially children. This issue is more often addressed after a tragedy strikes. This article has had a great impact on me. After reviewing the factors involving the grieving process in detail, it was clearly stated that the possibility of organ donation should be addressed more calmly and objectively before an actual tragedy strikes. Having prepared for such a possibility can make it more bearable for the family and the nursing staff. Bibliography Braynman, K.L., Vianello, A., Morel, P., Payne, W.D., Sutherland, D.E. (1996). The organ donor. Critical Care Clinics,6(4), 821-839