NYC to deploy mobile "body snatchers" to harvest organs in case of victim's death.

Run_to_da_hills

This is something like what would come straight of a 1950's horror movie. :eek:

Some 911 calls in Manhattan will now bring out two ambulances, one hurrying to the scene and one lagging slightly behind.

The first one will try to save the patient’s life. The second one will try to save the patient’s kidneys, in case the first ambulance fails.



I am not sure if I would like this idea especially in America where it will become more of a business. I already experienced the emergency services in the States and it is not uncommon to have several ambulances turn up at an accident scene from different private hospitals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/nyregion/01organ.html?_r=1&src=me

RMD

I don't like the idea of this at all.

Is there any legislation on who's organs they can take? Is it only those who carry donor cards or is it fairgame for everyone? I'm entirely pro-organ donation but if it's against the person's wishes and the family's wishes, it is pretty inconsiderate to take them.

Edit: Read the article, doesn't sound as bad as I first imagined, if anything it sounds pretty fair and thought out.

Run_to_da_hills

RMD wrote: »

I don't like the idea of this at all.

Is there any legislation on who's organs they can take? Is it only those who carry donor cards or is it fairgame for everyone? I'm entirely pro-organ donation but if it's against the person's wishes and the family's wishes, it is pretty inconsiderate to take them.

Edit: Read the article, doesn't sound as bad as I first imagined, if anything it sounds pretty fair and thought out.

It is not nice at all, something like one would hear from the chinese death squads. Could you imagine a homeless person that was hit by a car in an accident. An ambulance gets called out. A decision is made that the person is worth more in body components than if he was alive. I just hope to God this dose not come to this side of the atlantic.

meathstevie

Organ recovery is not done on a commercial basis over here and requires donor consent. Hence the periodical campaigns in the media for people to sign up as donors.

Run_to_da_hills

meathstevie wrote: »

Organ recovery is not done on a commercial basis over here and requires donor consent. Hence the periodical campaigns in the media for people to sign up as donors.

I carry a doner card however I wouldn't like the idea of a body snatcher chasing after the ambulance coming to my assistance in a RTA. Would it not make more sense to use the same ambulance to transport the person on the medical center if he passes away? .

johnnyskeleton

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It is not nice at all, something like one would hear from the chinese death squads. Could you imagine a homeless person that was hit by a car in an accident. An ambulance gets called out. A decision is made that the person is worth more in body components than if he was alive. I just hope to God this dose not come to this side of the atlantic.

It says in the article that the paramedics wouldn't know whether the organ van was ready to pounce. Also, to suggest that paramedics would let someone die in order to get their organs is offensive to paramedics across the world.

One possible problem is that I didn't know paramedics could actually declare someone dead. Obviously where their head and their body are in different rooms it is not an issue, but sometimes it is not that easy to tell if someone is dead or not. They could be in a death-like state but not actually dead. Which is why doctors have to certify that someone is actually dead.

In practical terms, I can't see doctors riding out with paramedics any time soon, so I would image that the cadaver would have to be brought to a doctor before the organs can be extracted.

RMD

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It is not nice at all, something like one would hear from the chinese death squads. Could you imagine a homeless person that was hit by a car in an accident. An ambulance gets called out. A decision is made that the person is worth more in body components than if he was alive. I just hope to God this dose not come to this side of the atlantic.

The paramedics wont be aware that the second vehicle is nearby. The second vehicle only comes into the situation once the person has been declared dead and there is no chance of reviving them under any circumstance. The amount of people this system could potentially save is huge.

And ye saying a paramedic wont do there utmost to save someone is very insulting, it's questioning their work ethic and morals. Their job is to save people, not decide on the value of a person's life and body.

999nobody

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

One possible problem is that I didn't know paramedics could actually declare someone dead. Obviously where their head and their body are in different rooms it is not an issue, but sometimes it is not that easy to tell if someone is dead or not. They could be in a death-like state but not actually dead. Which is why doctors have to certify that someone is actually dead.

In practical terms, I can't see doctors riding out with paramedics any time soon, so I would image that the cadaver would have to be brought to a doctor before the organs can be extracted.

In most US states paramedics can indeed pronounce someone dead without a doctor. Generally doctors would never be at a prehospital scene and the coroner would be a law enforcement official.

Haha

The organ team, which will travel in a bright red and white ambulance marked “Organ Preservation Unit,” is supposed to remain out of sight.

Reminds me of when the A-Team used to skid around in their souped up black van with the big red stripe through it all the time and the police never recognised it :pac: