JCAHO: More must be done to obtain donor organs

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations called for more action on obtaining organ donations, saying, "What has been tried to date has simply not been enough." In a new white paper, the JCAHO identified actions by providers, the government and organ procurement agencies that could improve donation rates. They include focusing efforts on hospitals with the most potential to identify likely donors; adopting national best practices for organ procurement; and considering the use of financial incentives, such as additional Medicare funds, to offset the costs of maintaining potential organ donors prior to death. More than 85,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving organ transplants, and more than 6,000 die each year before receiving one. The need for donations among minorities is especially acute, and efforts should be made to raise awareness about organ donation and change behavior among minority populations, the white paper said. Read the white paper. -- by Tony Fong