Organ Donor Essay, Research Paper

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.

Braynman, K.L., Vianello, A., Morel, P., Payne, W.D., Sutherland, D.E.

(1996). The organ donor. Critical Care Clinics,6(4), 821-839