By Caroline Song
A study conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) looked at over 100,000 deaths that occurred in hospitals from 2008 to 2012. The report found that most organ donations come from patients that are declared brain dead. The study suggests accepting more donations from cardiovascular failure or death if the patients have no chance of recovery. This practice is permitted in Canada since 2006, but many physicians refuse to do so citing ethical concerns such as the patients ability to retain brain activity for a little time even after the heart has stopped. “Organ donation is a complex process, which involves identifying potential donors, getting consent from the families and procuring the organs around the time of death,” suggests Kathleen Morris, the director of Health System Analysis and Emerging Issues at CIHI. The study also suggests accepting organ donation from the older population. Two thirds of medically-eligible Canadians who are deceased, do not donate their organs. CIHI reports that about 4,600 people are waiting for organs in Canada.
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