In Slovenia, organ and tissue donation is not allowed without obtained prior consent. The procedures for checking consent are laid down by the national law.
In Slovenia, people can decide in favour of or against donation during their lifetime. The declaration about organ donation can be submitted in person or electronically. The entry can be changed or withdrawn at any time. The designation is stored safely and locked in the national donor register managed by Slovenija-transplant. Only after one’s death, authorized physicians can access the data and check the will of the deceased.
The relatives of the deceased must be informed about procedures. If a person dies in a hospital in a way that organ donation is possible, the relatives are approached by a transplant coordinator. They talk to the next of kin about the wishes, character and will of the deceased and ask for permission to donate. The conversation is conducted in a compassionate and understanding manner and the relatives have some time to reflect on the decision. For donation procedures to start, the relatives must give consent.
If the wishes of the deceased are known to the relatives in advance, there is no doubt about the donation. In this case, the conversation with relatives is informative, relieving and comforting in the severe emotional distress caused by the loss of a loved one.