Special considerations accompany the 'gift of life'

Patient safety practices for organ and tissue donors - as well as recipients - must be understood by health care providers to combat medical error.This article discusses how regulatory and accreditation bodies are doing their part to reassure the public that there are strict rules, criteria and provisions specific to organ donation and transplantation. Additionally, health care risk management concepts as they apply to emerging issues in the organ donation and transplant field are explained. The article also highlights strategies to address particular patient safety issues and concerns. Case studies illustrate risk management applications and lessons learned.