The ethics of organ donation in Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The practices of organ procurement is under a national investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after what lawmakers call a “horrifying” situation in Kentucky under one of nation’s major organizations.

The state’s non-profit, the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency known as LOPA addresses this situation, explains their practices, and their ethics of the organ donation process.

The organization is a part of the United States’ 58 different organ procurement agencies in the country that all fall under federal guidelines but differ in state guidelines. Louisiana’s is stricter.

“Louisiana is very unique in its approach to certain safeguards for patient’s safety. Particurarly around the declaration of death that requires two physicians signatures on any declaration,” said Bailey Morse, Chief Legal Officer for LOPA.

When asked if there is mismanagement nationally, Morse explains how the differing standards could led to rare situations. Such as what took place in 2021 under the Kentucky-based nonprofit, Network for Hope when a patient’s organs were allegedly about to harvested before a surgeon realized the patient was not actually dead.

“It represents some of the rare occurrences. But they are real. Real enough to generate public concern and confusion,” Morse said.

She said LOPA takes any concerns extremely seriously. The organization follows strict adherence to internal policies with integrity and accountability.

“The core of LOPA is to earn the public’s trust and to maintain it. To approach cases as not just as cases. Not just as donor numbers but they are people. There are families behind those people,” Morse said.

She represents LOPA because she is also an advocate with a personal connection. Her mother-in-law Robin was once a recipient.

“About 20 years ago she was placed on the transplant list because she was awaiting a liver transplant. About 15 years ago she received that wonderful call that there was a donor for her and she would receive a very much needed organ. Through that loving gift she lived 15 more years. Which gave her more time with her family,” Morse said.

Then Robin became a donor herself.

“She was able to make that last gift to someone else and give another family a new tomorrow,” Morse said.

Hospitals inform LOPA when there are candidates for organ and tissue transplants. The candidates must be declared deceased or on a ventilator and deemed brain dead.

“Our goal is to save lives through organ and tissue transplants. We are there to advocate for the decision the patient has been by registering themselves,” said Chad Ezzell, Chief Operating Officer for LOPA.

Nationally, more than 100,000 people are on the transplant waiting list. In Louisiana, more than 1,800 patients are on the list. Ezzell said donor registration has grown in recent years providing more than 800 transplants.

“So over 800 lives were saved through the work of LOPA,” Ezzell said.

He says post-pandemic there has also been advancements in medical technology to shorten the waiting time.

“Now we’re able to recover an organ and put it on a profusion device and be able to evaluate if it’s transplantable or not. So the use that technology is allowing us to recover more organs for transplantation to fill our ultimate mission of saving lives and decreasing deaths on the waiting list,” Ezzell said.

They said LOPA goes beyond transplantation. They help donor families navigate the emotional process.

“I think that’s one of the beautiful things about LOPA. We don’t just support the organ recovery process. We support the whole donor and we support the donor’s family through grief counseling, from the time the process initiates, all the way to post recovery,” Morse said.

They explain people should not fear becoming an organ donor. It is the ultimate gift to give a stranger.

“At the end of one’s life you have the opportunity to save another life and pass that gift on,” Ezzell said.

Emphasizing that patient safety is paramount.

“To ensure their safety and dignity is paramount. That is ultimately going to allow us to save more lives now and in the future,” Morse said.

For the families left behind, it connects a lasting legacy between lives lost and lives saved.

“It’s not only a comfort in a time of darkness but gives you joy and spreads hope,” she concluded.

To learn more about LOPA, visit their website. To become an organ donor registration is available at the Office of Motor Vehicle locations or through the LA Wallet app.

LOPA will also be present during an upcoming event this Saturday called the “Big Health Event.” It’s hosted by Ochsner LSU Health and the Urban League. The health fair is open to the public at the Shreveport Convention Center August 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.