The potential for organ donation in a university hospital in Israel

One of the major reasons for the shortage of organs for transplantation in Israel is the failure to identify potential donors. According to the World Health Organization, the expected number of potential donors in Israel is 300 per year. In recent years an average of only 200 donors (2/3) has been identified.

To identify the reasons for the gap between the potential and the actual number of organ donors.

We reviewed the medical records of all potential donors at the Soroka University Medical Center between October 1997 through September 1999.

The total of 183 death records was consistent with the minimal inclusion criteria for potential organ donation, of which 41 were suspected to be potential brain death. In 31 cases an ad hoc committee had declared brain death, and the patients were evaluated for organ donation. However, in 10 cases no committee was formed. We found that 24.4% (10/41) of the potential donors had not been designated as such by their medical team.

We believe that a comprehensive education program for medical and nursing staff might increase awareness for organ donation and may eliminate the gap between the potential and actual number of organ donors.