2020 was a record year for solid organ transplants, even amid COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 1, 2021 | Jennifer O'Hara | @jenohara

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2020 was a record year for solid organ transplants, according to the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic the center performed the most solid organ transplants across its three campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, than any time in history

"All donors are tested for COVID-19," says Dr. David Douglas, chair of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center. "Anyone who had active COVID-19 would not be used as a donor. In fact, it's important to make that point because there have been no recorded cases of COVID being transmitted from the donor to a recipient from transplantation."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Douglas explains how the increase of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed care before and after transplants, and he addresses misconceptions about organ donation. He also talks about technologies in transplantation that are on the horizon.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Register to be an organ donor at these two websites:

organdonor.gov                                
donatelife.net

To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Read the full transcript.

For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.

Connect with others talking about organ donation, how to prepare, what to expect, and supporting one another in the Transplants support group.

 

 

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