Prisma Health patients can now register as organ, eye and tissue donors through MyChart, the digital patient portal they already use to manage appointments, test results and medical records.
According to Prisma Health officials, the new MyChart feature was developed in collaboration with Epic Systems and Donate Life America. Since launching in December, more than 800 patients have chosen to register as donors using the patient portal.
“By integrating organ donor registration into the patient portal that patients already trust, MyChart and Donate Life America have removed barriers to saving lives,” said Rebecca Smith, MD, MyChart physician lead. “Reducing the time from tragedy to identification as an organ donor will increase the likelihood of successful transplantation. I encourage all patients, even if they have signed up through the DMV already, to update their wishes today.”
Across the United States, more than 100,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant, including nearly 1,800 individuals in South Carolina. In South Carolina, most donor registrations occur at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Offering donor registration through MyChart aims to make the process faster and more accessible.
When patients sign up through MyChart, their decision is securely recorded in the National Donate Life Registry. That registration follows them wherever they go, even if they move to another state, similar to how electronic medical records travel within Epic’s health record system.
The MyChart registration process allows patients to specify donation preferences, including donating for transplant only or for transplant, research and education. A patient’s donor status is not visible to hospital care teams during treatment.
“Organ donation is one of the most selfless gifts a family can give,” said Dr. Todd Merchen, director of Solid Organ Transplant Center and Chief of Solid Organ Transplant Surgery at Prisma Health. “In moments of unimaginable loss, that decision can save lives and offer hope to others. Making it easier for people to register through MyChart helps ensure families clearly understand their loved one’s wishes and gives patients the opportunity to create a powerful legacy of life.”
To register, patients can log into their MyChart account, go to the Menu and click the Health Summary. There, they will find the option to become an organ donor. Or use the search feature to locate the organ donor information.
MyChart donor registration is for organ donation at the end of life. Patients who would like to learn more about living donation can speak with Prisma Health’s living donor coordinators by calling 864‑455‑1770.
