HFI News...

Patients’ Decisions About Accepting Donated Organ  

SILVER SPRING, MD, November 2012 – Studies at the University of California-San Francisco show that 84% of the transplant candidates who had died or been de-listed had received one or These data indicate they had an opportunity to undergo transplantation. Reasons for refusals of livers offered were reported as donor quality/age or other donor-related factors, size compatibility or recipient readiness.

While some of the factors involved are beyond control; others can be managed, according to Dr. John Roberts, professor of surgery at UCSF. Setting realistic expectations for wait-listed candidates regarding the available ideal organ and reducing the stigma associated with non-ideal livers are essential.

MELD is a scoring system for assessing the severity of chronic liver disease and is used by UNOS for prioritizing allocation of liver transplants.  

For more information, contact:
Thelma K. Thiel
1-800-891-0707