Kentucky - new electronic state organ donor registry

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Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) officials have announced the creation of a new electronic state organ

donor registry, which available through the circuit court clerks' offices.

Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky General Assembly strongly supported the new

registry, which will provide an electronic database of everyone in Kentucky who has indicated his or her wish to

become an organ donor. The registry is designed to

improve the speed of identifying possible organ donors.

“Sadly, far too many Kentuckians are on a waiting list to receive an organ

transplant that could potentially save their lives,” said Fletcher. “As governor and as a physician, I am keenly aware

of how important organ donation is to a brighter, healthier future for Kentuckians. That's

why I feel that creating a state organ donor registry is so important.”

By law, organ donation is the right of every American age 18 and older. Physicians and hospitals are legally obligated to identify

potential donors and to inform families of their right to donate. It's important that those who sign the back of their

driver's license indicating their wish to be an organ donor make their

intentions known to their families and loved ones to prevent confusion at the

time of their death.

Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner, cited the electronic registry as an

example of how information technology can be integrated into health care. Hacker said the registry will assist families whose loved

ones have indicated their wish to become an organ donor.

“Sometimes, an individual does not inform their next-of-kin of their wish

to be an organ donor and that wish goes unfulfilled. By

adding their name to the registry- which can be accessed by health care

organizations in minutes- the possibility of confusion is eliminated,”

said Hacker.

Names will be entered into the registry in Circuit Court Clerks'

offices, where driver's licenses are obtained and renewed. The

state Transportation Cabinet also was instrumental in the creation of the

registry.

To learn more, visit the Trust for Life's Web site, www.donatelifeky.org/default.aspx.

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