Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Review
The need for increasing organ donation among African Americans and Hispanic Americans: an overview.
Other groups in the United States could no doubt benefit from attention to the issue of organ donation, but I was unable to collect any data on the cultural beliefs and perspectives of the Asian American population, for example, regarding organ donation. We know that most Asian countries, such as Japan, have only recently begun organ donation programs. The United States represents one of the most culturally heterogeneous populations in the world today. ⋯ When the manuscript and educational displays were completed, representatives from the Wisconsin Donor Network attended a reception at the school held during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. Accompanying them was a young 27-year-old recipient of a heart transplant. As a result of his visit, faculty and students (even "skeptics") were inspired to become organ or tissue donors by signing the back of their driver's licenses and became committed to educating others about the issue.
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During initial assessment and care of this patient, an element of disbelief of the patient's inability to move his extremities was expressed. Manifestation of a severe injury such as that affecting the spinal cord after an extended period of time would be unusual. All other causes of altered motor function should be promptly investigated. ⋯ We are impressed with the number of mechanisms and medications that can contribute to the development of rhabdomyolysis. Caregivers are at risk of assuming that the patient's condition fits the category to which they have been triaged. Keeping an open mind concerning the range of rationale for patient signs and symptoms is important.