Case Studies from Lynn Cravero, RN, C.P.T.C
Assistant Director Organ Procurement Coordinator
University
of Miami
Comments submitted by Web visitors:
 January
18, 2002 From: two ADN Program Students from Victoria College, TexasDoes the daughter's interpretation of her father's wishes supercede his Advance Directives? We believe that the daughter has the right to supercede his Advance Directives (AD). The AD is only a guide and not a legal document. |
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| October
29, 2001 From: EMS Student at Barry University Considering the circumstances , first of all, the child will probably be brain death within the next 42 hours, and that the child has a type of blood not common (AB-), I would say that he is a great candidate for organ transplant. However the other fact indicates that he is 5 year old, with no idea of what an organ transplant means and with no ability to decides, and of course without any written personal will. In this case, I think that the mother has the responsibility to make a decision (as a health care surrogate) based on the HCP recommendation. The mother (legally speaking) is the one in charge of the kid until he become 18 year old; the rest of the family may play an important role, in terms of emotional support to the mother; if they don't agree with the mother's decision they will probably reproach her from now on. However, to avoid this situation, I would suggest a social worker or counselor talk with the mother and close relative (grandfather) to establish the advantage or disadvantages for the benefit of the kid, the family, the mother and society. We may give everybody the opportunity to express and communicate, but finally the decision lies on the mother’s back. |
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| July 26,2001 From: Generic Nursing Student F/T-Dr.
Petrozella's class I feel that the wishes of the mother should take priority over the extended family, i.e. the grandmother. I realize that the entire family needs closure to mourn the loss of their family member. Perhaps the organ procurement coordinator can do some fast educating with the grandparents with the company of the chaplain services or pastoral care. since the blood types are so difficult to match, it doesn't matter and shouldn't bear any weight on the decision making process. However because of the difficult match every effort should be made to educate and provide comfort to all the family members. I can see this situation happening often, especially with older generations and conflicts with religion or the lack of understanding. |
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| July 26,2001 From:
Transitional Nursing Student F/T-Dr.
Petrozella's class In my opinion, the child's mother has the right to make the decisions that she finds pertinent in regards to her child because the child is a minor and her mother, in this case, has the immediate choice to decide what is to be done with her child's organs after death is pronounced. Parents are always made responsible for the child that they conceive until that child reaches the age of 18. Therefore, since that responsibility fall on the parents, then their decision should be the one that weighs over the rest of the family members. I don't believe that the fact the recipients are children will put any pressure on the mother to make a decision. We must respect the mother's autonomy and rights as a mother. The relationship of the rest of the family members with the mother should not be effected if the other members have a sense of privacy, autonomy, and other ethical principles. I believe that the only benefit that the mother could achieve is that of seeing other human lives survive because of her child, and in my opinion, that is a great feeling. |
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| July 18,2001 From: Generic Nursing Student F/T-Dr.
Petrozella's class I truly believe that if I was involved with the case, I would have to listen to the other family members comments and suggestions and try to come up with an agreement on behalf for the mother and the other family members. If the mother can convince the family members to agree with her the consent would be acknowledged with no problems but if the mother is over ruled then we would have to come up with a back up plan. |
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