Ethics resources of US organ procurement organizations and transplant centers

The medical disciplines of organ and tissue donation and transplantation present many life-enriching benefits but are often fraught with ethical ramifications. This article examines the current and potential ethics resources of US organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant centers (TCs). The organizations were surveyed regarding established ethical guidelines and the frequency with which ethical issues in need of resolution were encountered. All OPOs and 76% of TCs reported confronting ethical issues in the workplace. A majority of those surveyed in TCs and OPOs felt adequately prepared to face the ethical challenges of their jobs. More than half the surveyed personnel had some type of ethics training, but only 25% of the TC staffs and 16% of the OPO staffs' training was during the survey year. The potential for ethics-related interactions for TC and OPO staff must be recognized and adequate preparatory measures provided.