Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve memorandum of understanding with LifeGift for EMS organ-donation referrals
Summary
Washington County approved an MOU allowing EMS to make post-scene referrals to LifeGift, an organ procurement organization; LifeGift will contact families and no financial transaction or solicitation by EMS will occur.
Washington County commissioners on May 27 approved a memorandum of understanding that will allow Washington County EMS to refer potential organ and tissue donors to LifeGift, an organ procurement organization.
Under the approved MOU, Washington County EMS will make a referral to LifeGift after EMS clears a scene when a patient dies outside a hospital. LifeGift will then contact families to discuss donation; the MOU specifies that families must consent and that EMS will not solicit donations or have direct family conversations under the program.
Yasmine Jackson, a LifeGift representative, told the court the program increases the opportunity for donation when death occurs outside a hospital setting. “The goal with the EMS referral program is it provides organ donation opportunity to people that pass away outside of a hospital setting and opens up that opportunity for people who may not have had the opportunity to donate otherwise,” Jackson said. She described LifeGift as a nonprofit that coordinates organ and tissue donation; she said tissue can be procured up to 24 hours after death and that organs and tissues can expand donation opportunities for different ages.
County officials noted there is no financial transaction tied to the MOU and said the county attorney’s office had reviewed the agreement. Court members also emphasized that referrals are based on preexisting donor decisions or family consent; one official said EMS will not be recruiting or soliciting families at scenes. The court approved the MOU by motion; the record shows the motion carried.
