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Carolyn C. Johnson, PhD, Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., 23rd Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-585-4068, cjohnso5@tulane.edu
Organ procurement/donation is a medical and clinical problem that has moved into the public health arena with the advent of registries for declaration of intent to donate. In 2004 more than 89,000 transplants were needed; only about 21,000 were performed. Donor registration is a first step to increasing the organ/tissue donation pool. A community-based pilot trial to increase donor registrations was implemented in Louisiana. Computerized kiosks were placed in hospital lobbies, the Superdome and other venues. A touch screen allowed access by anyone looking for patient care information (hospitals) or NFL/Saints stats (Superdome). The user was required to view a 30-second donor education program and was given the opportunity to register immediately. In 2002, kiosk registrations (n=3728) over 8 months exceeded registrations obtained in 2001 via website (n=314) and community presentations (n=2463) combined. The major source of donor registrations in 2001 was the Office of Motor Vehicles (n=22,398). Demographic information showed the kiosk registrants were mostly female (53%), white (59%), in the 30-39 age range (24.3%), married (48.3%), and had a high school or equivalent education (42%). Demographic characteristics reflect the trend of donors nationwide and underscore the need for donor awareness and education programs to reach minorities and young single individuals. The initial expense of community-based kiosk placement could be offset by the potential long-term benefits of increasing the registration pool and actualized organ/tissue donations.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to
Keywords: Challenges and Opportunities,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.