[Organ donation--course of events]

In Germany nearly 11,300 patients are on the waiting list for a donor organ. The process of organ donation should be known at every hospital and in particular the prerequisites for confirmation of brain death which can only take place in the intensive care unit. The consultation with the family of a deceased is of utmost importance because only few people have a signed organ donor card. Otherwise the relatives have to make the decision on behalf of the deceased. After consent intensive protective care treatment is necessary to prevent any organ damage. Retrieval of organs can be done at every operating theatre by specially trained surgeons. The transport of the specially packed retrieved organs is carried out considering the individual ischemic time. The donor hospital and the relatives receive a letter informing them about the course of events.