Organ donation procedures
| Step | Procedure description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 FATAL EVENT | Head injury, stroke, cardiac arrest with prolonged resuscitation, cerebral haemorrhage,… |
| Step 2 TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL | Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation and mechanical ventilation, drug treatment and all other life-saving measures. Unfortunately, the prognosis is fatal and hopeless. |
| Step 3 CONFIRMED BRAIN DEATH | Two independent medical specialists, clinical tests and supplementary instrumental examination are performed in accordance with Slovenian legislation. Irreversible loss of all brain function (both hemispheres and brain stem) is confirmed. |
| Step 4 DECISION IN FAVOUR OF / AGAINST DONATION | Review of the possible deceased’s declaration in the donor register. A conversation with relatives, which is always conducted in accordance with the law, even if the wishes of the deceased are known. |
| Step 5 DONOR MAINTENANCE | In the ICU, the intensive care physicians/anaesthetists ensure adequate perfusion and oxygen supply to the organs. They coordinate all the necessary tests to assess the functionality of the individual organs and their suitability for transplantation. |
| Step 6 ALLOCATION OF ORGANS | Allocation is performed for each organ via a common database for all donated organs and all final recipients in the Eurotransplant countries. A number of legally defined parameters that apply to all Eurotransplant member countries are taken into account. |
| Step 7 NOTIFICATION OF A SUITABLE ORGAN / TIMETABLE | Slovenija-transplant receives notification of a suitable organ for our patients from the Eurotransplant Central Coordination office. Slovenija-transplant informs the recipient centre at UMC Ljubljana, where the Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CTC) contacts the future recipient (patient). The time for accepting the offer is short, 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the organ. Once all organs have been allocated, a time is set for the start of organ removal at the donor hospital. |
| Step 8 ORGAN REMOVAL IN THE DONOR HOSPITAL | Surgical intervention. Several teams from abroad can take part. The sequence of events is precisely defined. Final assessment of the suitability of the organs. Proper storage and preparation for transport. |
| Step 9 REMOVAL OF A DISEASED ORGAN | At UMC Ljubljana, a diseased organ, e.g. a heart, is removed from the future recipient. The patient is connected to the extracorporeal blood circulation. A highly experienced heart transplant team is involved (surgeons, anaesthetists, operating theatre nurses, …) |
| Step 10 TRANSPORT OF THE DONATED ORGAN | The transport takes place from the donor hospital to UMC Ljubljana. It is carried out by plane and by land. For longer distances, we often use the government’s Falcon aircraft and very rarely a helicopter. Most transports are carried out by ambulance. |
| Step 11 TRANSPLANTING A NEW ORGAN | Upon arrival at UMC Ljubljana, the donated organ is transplanted into the recipient by a specially experienced and trained team. This operation takes several hours. After a successful transplantation, the donated organ should immediately starts working in the recipient. |
| Step 12 CARE OF THE RECIPIENT AFTER TRANSPLANTATION | A donated organ means a new life, which also brings new responsibilities. For recipients, it is necessary to take lifelong immunosuppressive medication to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ and to take care of psychophysical health. CTCs carry out regular examinations of their patients (once a week, once a month and later every six months). |
| Step 13 FUNERAL PREPARATIONS AND THE MOURNING PROCESS OF THE RELATIVES | It begins with the conversation after brain death has been confirmed. After the donation, the organization of the funeral follows. Burial in an open coffin or cremation is possible. Depending on the religion or cultural tradition of the deceased, all types of burial are possible. |