The lung allocation system is what determines the ranking of individuals on the transplant list. The material included is their lung allocation score, blood type, distance between the hospital where the donor is located and recipient, lab values, test results, and disease diagnoses (“Organ Procurement”, n.d.). Disease severity and chances of survival post transplant are factors that estimate an individuals lung allocation score. However, children under the age of 12 are not prioritized by a lung allocation score, instead they are classified either Priority 1 or Priority 2. Priority 1 are for those in urgent need, and those not as urgent are listed as Priority 2. UNOS has a policy that states that those under the age of 12 are given priority
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Should someone under the age of 12 be able to receive an adult lung donation? Specifically, is it right to allow Sarah to receive an adult transplant when there are plenty of other adults that are already considered eligible and waiting? The OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplant Network) states that “they cannot create a policy exemption on behalf of an individual patient and that a request to adjust the status of a patient under 12 so they can be included in the allocation for adults is against the existing lung allocation policy” (“Organ Procurement”, n.d.). The chances of success with adult lungs transplanted in pediatric patients is lower than chances of success in adults. The difference in size and lung capacity of adult donors in comparison to pediatric patients is of huge concern. The lungs can be resized and placed into a pediatric patient but one of the biggest concerns is that the adult lungs are already done growing. So once they are downsized and transplanted, they will not continue to grow as the child continues to grow. Therefore, the recipient would likely need another lung transplant in the future (Debating The Ethics,” n.d.). Is it fair for one person to possibly get two life saving transplants? Is it ethical to “bend” the rules for …show more content…
Nearly every health care related situation seems to involve some kind of ethical principle. Ethical issues are very tough challenges for medical professionals because there never really seems to be a clear right or wrong answer. In the story that I wrote about I know it was not actually a nurse making the decision, but nurses and doctors were taking care of Sarah. They had professional obligations to do everything they could to help Sarah. Her doctors and nurses advocated for her, just as they should have. I understand that ethical issues will often arise throughout my career and I will always do my best to fulfill my professional obligations as a nurse. I will always respect my patients rights, privacy, and confidentiality. But most importantly I will always advocate for my patients and act in a fair
Should someone under the age of 12 be able to receive an adult lung donation? Specifically, is it right to allow Sarah to receive an adult transplant when there are plenty of other adults that are already considered eligible and waiting? The OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplant Network) states that “they cannot create a policy exemption on behalf of an individual patient and that a request to adjust the status of a patient under 12 so they can be included in the allocation for adults is against the existing lung allocation policy” (“Organ Procurement”, n.d.). The chances of success with adult lungs transplanted in pediatric patients is lower than chances of success in adults. The difference in size and lung capacity of adult donors in comparison to pediatric patients is of huge concern. The lungs can be resized and placed into a pediatric patient but one of the biggest concerns is that the adult lungs are already done growing. So once they are downsized and transplanted, they will not continue to grow as the child continues to grow. Therefore, the recipient would likely need another lung transplant in the future (Debating The Ethics,” n.d.). Is it fair for one person to possibly get two life saving transplants? Is it ethical to “bend” the rules for …show more content…
Nearly every health care related situation seems to involve some kind of ethical principle. Ethical issues are very tough challenges for medical professionals because there never really seems to be a clear right or wrong answer. In the story that I wrote about I know it was not actually a nurse making the decision, but nurses and doctors were taking care of Sarah. They had professional obligations to do everything they could to help Sarah. Her doctors and nurses advocated for her, just as they should have. I understand that ethical issues will often arise throughout my career and I will always do my best to fulfill my professional obligations as a nurse. I will always respect my patients rights, privacy, and confidentiality. But most importantly I will always advocate for my patients and act in a fair