BHD/NBHD Flashcards
Story on BHD?
Jahi McMath
What is a NBHD (non-beating heart donor)?
Those who have died via circulatory death, when the heart stops working. Leads mostly to uncontrolled retrieval as patients are often already dead on arrival to hospital or attempts at resuscitation have been unsuccessful.
What is a BHD (beating heart donor)?
When someone is brain stem dead, aka when their brain stops functioning. A ventilator takes over the breathing process to keep the circulatory n system functioning until the transplant team can remove organs. More accessible than NBHD.
What is the dead donor rule?
A disagreement on when death actually occurs. This is a issue for BHD because doctor could potentially be causing death by the removal organs. (Jahi McMath)
BMA (British medial association) response? (Non-religious)
Promotes practice to saving lives and reducing suffering. Would be against the dead donor rule as it could cost lives by keeping someone declared dead the same privilege as someone who is living.
BMA Quote?
‘We believe this is the best option for the UK to reduce the shortage of organs and save lives.’
What is personhood?
Whether a brain stem dead (BSD) patient is still considered a person or not. Determines whether BHD is morally acceptable but there is disagreement on this.
Example of personhood?
Doctors having to treat BHD as dead which would mean removing organs would kill a ‘human’
What is respect (within BHD)?
Doctors may view BHD as ‘spare parts’ and not treat them with the same respect and care as organ recipients. This can damage relationships between patients and doctors.
Example of respect?
BHD often look like they are sleeping so turning off support machines or taking them to surgery could be traumatising to families.
Buddhism response?
They believe your body is not real so it does not matter what happens to do you in death. Buddhists would be for organ donation but only if the person is officially dead so depends on whether they view someone BSD as truly dead.
Buddhism quote?
‘… What loss do I suffer to give an unwanted organ after my death…’
Judaism response?
Against. Pikuach nefesh means saving of life so they believe life is sacred and should be protected at all costs. Beating heart donation would not be allowed. Believe loss of organs equals loss of life.
