Pennsylvania lawmakers on Oct. 10 approved legislation intended to decrease organ donation barriers, according to PennLive.
Here are four things to know:
1. The bill, SB 180, marks the first update to Pennsylvania's organ transplant law in 25 years, passing unanimously both in the local House and Senate. Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he intends to sign the bill, according to PennLive.
2. Once the bill is signed into law, Pennsylvania will join 48 other states adhering to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which helps standardize organ practices so all available organs reach eligible recipients.
3. Pennsylvania has been a leader in organ transplant denials, advocates of the bill told PennLive. The denials often involved registered donors who were on life support and occurred when the county coroner decided a body or organ was necessary for a criminal investigation.
4. The bill would make organ donation registration easier for adults and provide educational materials on organ donation to young people. Medical experts said people do not register to become organ donors due to misinformation or a lack of educational materials showing the benefits of being a donor.
"On behalf of 7,300 people waiting for an organ transplant, and their families, we thank lawmakers for working together to pass this legislation," Howard M. Nathan, president and CEO of Gift of Life Donor Program, said in a press release cited by PennLive.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Congo's Ebola outbreak will continue for 3- 4 months, WHO estimates
Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing common for acute pancreatitis, study finds
Christiana Care administers 7K+ flu shots to employees in 1 day