Barriers experienced by organ procurement organizations in implementing the HOPE act and HIV-positive organ donation

Zachary Predmore, Brianna Doby, Debra G. Bozzi, Christine Durand, Dorry Segev, Jeremy Sugarman, Aaron A.R. Tobian, Albert W. Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In the seven years since the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act made HIV-positive organ donation to HIV-positive recipients legally permissible in the United States, there have been fewer HIV-positive organ donations than expected. Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) play a key role in the transplant system and barriers at OPOs may be partly responsible for the relatively low number of HIV-positive donors. To understand potential OPO barriers, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 OPO staff members. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a conventional content analytic approach with two coders. OPO staff had high levels of knowledge about HOPE. Many had evaluated referrals of HIV-positive donors and approached families for authorization. Barriers to HIV-positive organ recovery identified included obtaining authorization for donation, potentially disclosing HIV status to next-of-kin, and fear of HIV infection among those engaged in organ recovery. Strategies to overcome these barriers include providing continuing education about the specific tasks required to procure organs from HIV-positive donors, implementing targeted interventions to reduce fear of infection, and developing partnerships with HIV advocacy and care organizations. Given the central role OPOs play, HIV-positive donations are unlikely to occur in significant numbers unless these barriers can be overcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1144-1150
Number of pages7
JournalAIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume34
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • HIV
  • HOPE Act
  • Organ procurement organization
  • qualitative

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Social Psychology

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