POLICY POINTS The growing shortage of life-saving organs has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 120,000 Americans waiting for them. Despite national attempts to increase organ donation and federal laws mandating the equitable allocation of organs, geographic disparities remain. A better understanding of the contextual determinants of organ donor designation, including social capital, ...

The widespread application of hepatic transplantation has created a tremendous demand for donor organs. An assessment of donor parameters is thought to be important in selecting good donors; however, the criteria utilized have not been standardized. This study was performed to determine the effect of a measurable donor blood alcohol level on graft survival. Fifty-two patients who underwent orth...

BACKGROUND This paper examines the benefits and costs that accrue when a cadaveric organ donor is procured. We estimate the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for donor procurement. Our objective was not only to see whether organ procurement is a "good" health investment, but also to clarify how much it is worth spending to obtain additional donors. METHODS We calculated the average n...

BACKGROUND Of the many logistic issues addressed throughout the cadaveric organ donation process, timely access to the operating theater for surgical recovery of organs and tissues can be one of the most problematic. Delay in recovery adds to cost, risks organ viability, and compounds donor family anguish with compromise to donation consent. METHODS From March 1 to November 30, 2001, 25 cadav...