THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING ORGAN DONATION ARE
COLLECTED FROM A GOVERMENT SITE IN AUSTRALIA
Frequently asked questions
Why should I donate my organs and tissue?
For people with life-threatening or serious illnesses, organ or tissue transplantation may mean a second chance at life, or an improved quality of life.
Is there an age limit for donating organs and tissue?
No. Anyone can be an organ and tissue donor. Each person referred as a potential organ and tissue donor is considered within an individual capacity.
What organs and tissues can be donated for transplantation?
Organs
- Heart
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
Tissues
- Corneas
- Bones
- Heart Valves
What are corneal transplants used for?
Corneal transplants are used to restore sight to people who are partially or completely blind because of a problem with their own cornea – the clear pillow at the front of the eye. Both the cornea and the sclera (the white of the eye) can also be used in tissue transplants. A single eye tissue donor can help between two to four people.
What are bone transplants used for?
A bone tissue transplant is used to help repair fractures and strengthen hip and knee joint replacements. It may also be used to replace bone lost as a result of injury or tumour. Transplanted bone allows the surgeons to rebuild defects to aid functional rehabilitation. Bone tissue transplants can also be used to repair curvatures of the spine (scoliosis) in children and teenagers.
When are heart valves used for transplantation?
Heart valves are mainly used to repair congenital defects in young children but have also been transplanted when someone’s valves stop working effectively due to disease such as rheumatic fever, degeneration, and infection. Donated human heart valves have many advantages over artificial or animal alternatives: human heart valves are more resistant to infection and do not require the use of anti-clotting medications. This is important for children, women of childbearing age and those who live in remote areas.
When can organ and tissue donation occur?
Organ and tissue donation for transplant can only occur if the person died under certain circumstances, and if consent to donation was given.
For organ donation to be considered, the person must have died in an Intensive Care Unit of a hospital as a result of brain death. Brain death occurs when the brain stops functioning following a severe injury through trauma, stroke or lack of oxygen of which there is no prospect of recovery. Tests are carried out by two senior doctors not involved in transplantation to establish whether brain death has occurred.
Tissue donation can take place after circulatory death has occurred, which is when the heart has stopped beating. Tissue donation can take place up to 24hours following death.
Removal of organs is performed by senior surgeons and assisted by senior nurses. The donor is treated with respect and dignity at all times. Donation of organs and tissue does not alter the physical shape of the body.
If I can’t donate blood any more because I lived in the U.K, can I donate organs and tissues?
Yes. All organs and corneas can be donated. There are currently some restrictions in donating bone and heart valves. You are encouraged to register your wish to donate with the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) and those issues will be considered at the time of potential donation.
What is the AODR?
The Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) is a national register that was launched in November 2001. Administered by Medicare, the AODR can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by authorised medical personnel to verify a person’s intent to be a donor. Your wishes on the AODR are completely confidential and can be accessed only after you have died.
Entry onto the registry is voluntary and allows people to indicate which organs and tissue they are comfortable to donate, or to register a decision not to donate any organs or tissue after death.
How do I register my wish to be an organ or tissue donor?
- Pick up a AODR registration brochure from any Medicare office
- Register online on www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or contact 1800 777 203
What if I have registered as a donor on my driver’s licence?
The method of registration changed in 2001 to an Australia wide donor register (AODR). As a result, your donation intentions are no longer displayed on your driver’s licence. If you were registered on your driver’s licence, chances are that your registration was transferred to the AODR. We suggest you contact the AODR on 1800 777 203 to confirm or update your registration status.
If I decide I want to donate, why is my family asked?
Australia has a “double opt – in” system where an individual indicates their intent to be an organ/tissue donor and then after your death consent is sought a second time (from next of kin) to confirm your wishes after your death. If you are registered as a donor or have talked to your family about your wishes regarding donation, they are very likely to support your wish.
Can I get any religious advice?
All the major religions support organ and tissue donation on the basis that it is the ultimate charitable gift. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to talk with your minister, priest or religious adviser.
The Religion and Organ and Tissue Donation for Transplantation in Australia report provides a comprehensive, up to date review of the policies and positions of the major religious bodies in Australia.
Are there any costs to the family for donation?
No. There are no costs relating to the donation of organs and tissues. Funeral and burial arrangements remain the responsibility of the family.
Does the person look the same after donating organs and tissues?
Yes. A person who donates organs and tissues will look the same. Organs are retrieved in an operating theatre like any surgical procedure. Following tissue donation, prosthetic implants are used to restore/maintain a person’s appearance. The deceased person can be viewed following donation of organs and tissue.
If organ and tissue donation occurs can funeral arrangements proceed normally?
Yes. Funeral arrangements can proceed as normal. Viewing and open casket funerals may proceed as planned.
Can donor families and transplant recipients meet?
No. The law protects the identity of both the donor and transplant recipient. The Donor Coordinator will be able to give the donor family information on the progress of patients who received the donated organs and tissue and arrange exchange of anonymous correspondence between the parties but they cannot give out the names or any identifying details.
What support services are available to Donor Families?
Counselling services are available as needed. Your Donor Coordinator will talk about these supports with you, and be there to answer any questions you may have.
What is a Donor Coordinator?
Donor Coordinators play an important role in caring for donors and their families during and after organ and tissue donation. A Donor Coordinator is on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Donor Coordinator is available to answer any questions families may have, discuss consent for donation, and coordinate the process of donation by:
- Arranging for necessary blood tests to be performed to ensure tissue compatibility between donor and recipient, and to exclude any infectious diseases the prospective donor may have that could be passed on to the transplant recipient
- Contacting transplant units and tissue banks, both local and interstate, to find the most suitable person to receive each organ (heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys). Donated tissue (cornea, bone, heart valves) may be stored for transplantation at a later date
- Liaising with surgical teams involved in the donation surgery
- Providing follow-up and support if a family chooses
Contact DonateWest on 08 9222 0222 or donatewest@health.wa.gov.au for anymore information.
