An AP article headlined HIV infections from donated organs raise concerns caught my eye. It seems a high risk donor infected four recipients with hepatitis and the virus that causes AIDS. The case has caused medical ethicists to determine it just might be helpful if patients know more about whose organs they are to receive.
Whoa. Wait a minute here. Is the cart before the horse ? The transplant system is considered safe. There have been minimal problems, but it is not 100% safe. Out come the confidentiality rules. Transplant surgeons generally decide what information regarding the donor is given to the recipients and their families.
The recipients in the case above would not know to this day had one of them not gone through blood tests for a re-transplant. That to me is about as frightening as it gets.
The article states the donor filled out a screening questionnaire that revealed he/she had engaged in high risk behavior. The hospitals where the surgeries were performed were so notified but none would reveal what information was passed on to the patients.
My question is why was the donor allowed to donate in the first place? There are a whole lot of ethics questions here.
One, the donor knowing his/her own history; the organization who procured the organs knowing the donor was at high risk and the surgeon knowing the donor was high risk. Everyone but the bloody patient! Which life is most at risk here?
I can't imagine why an ethicist has to struggle over what information the recipient should have nor why an at risk donor is even in the mix.
It is an outrage.
1 comment:
This is so wrong on several planes.
The doctor's oath is "to do no harm"
Dr. 1..the donor's doctor... did harm by allowing to have the organ's donated. Especially with out a HIV test. especially after hearing the "I was active in risky behavior" bit.
Dr. 2. who did the receiving.. did harm by allowing the donor's organ go into the bank.
Dr. 3.. the patient recieving doctor, should have stopped it. The only one close to being excused is Dr. 3 if he wasn't told.
You can bet your bottom dollar there will be HIV test done on donors now. Talk about a malpratice case.. they sign what could be a death notice for those patients. And I sure hope all those Drs. are willing to pay for any meds, and health care issues coming. Buyer beware doesn't mean for body parts.
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