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The Impact of Organ Shortages Angelika Morton Grand Canyon University English 106: English Comp 2 Amberly Neese 11/08/2023 1

Introduction The scarcity of available organs for transplantation has become an increasingly pressing issue in the field of healthcare, giving rise to a cause-and-effect relationship that profoundly impacts both patient waitlists and outcomes. As the demand for life-saving organ transplants continues to grow, the limited supply of suitable organs has created a dire situation, resulting in prolonged wait times and, often, tragic consequences for those in need. In this essay, we will delve into the intricate web of causes and effects surrounding the organ shortage crisis, examining the various factors contributing to this dilemma and the direct repercussions it has on patients and their chances of survival. The Ripple Effect of Organ Shortages Organ shortages have created a ripple effect in the realm of healthcare, with far- reaching consequences for patients and healthcare systems. The scarcity of organs for transplantation has led to extended waitlists, where individuals in dire need of life saving procedures are forced to endure a prolonged period of uncertainty and deteriorating health. As the waitlists grow, patient outcomes are adversely affected, with increased mortality rates and decreased quality of life for those awaiting transplantation. Additionally the strain on healthcare resources intensifies, as hospitals and medical professionals grapple with the challenge of managing an ever-expanding patient population. The ripple effect of organ shortages extends beyond the individuals on the waitlists, impacting society as a whole, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this critical issue. In the United States, for example, the number of patients on the waiting list in the year 2006 had risen to over 95,000, while the number of patient deaths was over 6,300. This organ shortage crisis has deprived thousands of patients of a new and better quality of life (Abouna, G. M. 2008) 2

Strategies to Alleviate Organ Shortages Addressing organ shortages involves a complex web of strategies and innovations, each with its own set of ethical dilemmas. In the Unites States, over 100,000 people are on the waiting list to receive an organ. While waiting almost 10,000 people die or are considered too sick to receive a transplant (Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics). Organ procurement organizations and transplant centers have been striving to increase the pool of available organs through initiatives. These efforts aim to expand the supply of organs, thereby reducing patient waitlists and improving transplant outcomes. However, such strategies can raise ethical questions, including concerns about commercialization of organ donation and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Balancing the need for more organs with the ethical considerations surrounding their procurement is a critical aspect of mitigating the far-reaching effects of organ shortages. Ethical Dilemmas in the Face of Organ Shortages The ethical concerns surrounding organ shortages loom large in the field of transplantation. One of the most pressing issues is the equitable distribution of organs. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is responsible for distributing deceased organ donations(Schellinger Et. Al.). There are different policies used to govern where each organ goes, these policies are particularly susceptible to bias. The allocation criteria, which prioritizes factors such as medical urgency and waiting time can create disparities, raising questions about fairness and justice in the allocation process. Additionally, concerns about incentivized donation and potential exploitation of vulnerable populations pose significant ethical challenges. There is a delicate balance to be struck between addressing the urgent need for organs and ensuring that these strategies uphold the principles of autonomy, informed consent, and social justice. Ethical 3

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deliberations are an integral part of the ongoing discourse aimed at finding ethical and effective solutions to the organ shortage crisis. The Ordeal of Patient Waitlists in the Face of Organ Shortages The patient waitlist for organ transplantation is a critical component of the healthcare system, where lives unfortunately hang in the balance. Patients in need of an organ transplant often find themselves on a precarious journey, navigating a prolonged period or uncertainty and deteriorating health as they wait for a suitable donor. The length of these waitlists continue to grow, straining healthcare resources and posing challenges for patients, families and medical professionals alike. The length and uncertainty of the wait can take a toll on the mental and physical well-being of those in need, underscoring the urgency of addressing organ shortages and streamlining the transplant process to reduce the burden on patients and improve their chances of a successful outcome. The Organ Supply Chain The organ supply chain is a complex and tightly orchestrated process that connects donors, medical professionals and recipients in the critical journey of organ transplantation. Nearly every hour, a patient in the USA dies while waiting for an organ transplant (Degenholtz et al., 2019). A human organ can only stay viable outside of the body for a handful of hours, so matching a donor with a recipient often depends on their physical distance from one another. For several decades, organs were allocated according to the “regional system,” which prioritised allocating organs within the borders of semi- arbitrary management districts along state lines (Parent & Caplan, 2017, p. 19). While changing the organ allocation system, could help increase the total number or transplant operations, the total would still be limited by the number of organs available for transplant. The supply chain plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the 4

scarcity of available organs and the pressing need of patients on transplant waitlists. Its effectiveness is not only vital for the success of individual transplant procedures, but is also instrumental in addressing the broader challenge or organ shortages and improving the overall outcomes for patients in need. Closing In conclusion, the ripple effect of organ shortages has far-reaching implications for both patients and healthcare systems. The extended patient waitlists and diminished outcomes for those in need underscore the urgency of addressing this critical issue. Strategies and innovations aimed at alleviating organ shortages are being explored, but they bring with them a host of ethical dilemmas that demand careful consideration. The role of public awareness and education in promoting organ donation, advancements in organ regeneration, and the impact of legislation and policy reforms cannot be underestimated in mitigating the crisis. Furthermore, international collaboration through global organ exchange programs has the potential to widen the pool of available organs. Patient waitlists remain a challenging aspect of the organ shortage issue, putting lives on hold while they navigate a broken system, in dire need of improvement, Finally, the organ supply chain, an intricate web of logistics, and medical expertise, connects donors medical professionals, and recipients in the life-saving journey of transplantation, emphasizing its vital role in bridging the gap between organ scarcity and patient need. In the face of this multifaceted crisis, an approach that combines awareness, ethical considerations, scientific progress, and logistical efficiency is essential to ensure a brighter future for those awaiting organ transplant. 5

References Abouna, G. M. (2008). Organ Shortage Crisis: Problems and Possible Solutions. Transplantation Proceedings , 40 (1), 34–38. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.11.067 Sterri, A. B., Regmi, S., & Harris, J. (2022). Ethical Solutions to the Problem of Organ Shortage. CAMBRIDGE QUARTERLY OF HEALTHCARE ETHICS , 31 (3), 297–309. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1017/S0963180121000955 Schnellinger, E. M., Cantu III, E., Harhay, M. O., Schaubel, D. E., Kimmel, S. E., Stephens-Shields, A. J., & Cantu, E., 3rd. (2021). Mitigating selection bias in organ allocation models. BMC Medical Research Methodology , 21 (1), 1–9. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12874-021-01379-7 Labib, A. W. (2004). An Intelligent System for Prioritisation of Organ Transplant Patient Waiting Lists Using Fuzzy Logic. The Journal of the Operational Research Society , 55 (2), 103–115. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.4101862&site=eds- live&scope=site&custid=s8333196&groupid=main&profile=eds1 The organ supply chain: Geography and the inequalities of transplant logistics. (2021). Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers , 46 (4), 1008–1021. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/tran.12458 6

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