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Organ Donation After Euthanasia: A Dutch Practical Manual
J Bollen1, W de Jongh2, J Hagenaars3
1Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Summary
Organ donation after euthanasia is legally and medically possible, though not common. A new manual details the operational steps for this combined procedure to increase physician awareness and facilitate patient requests.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Organ Transplantation
- End-of-Life Care
Background:
- Physicians and patients often lack awareness of the possibility of organ donation following euthanasia.
- The combination of euthanasia and organ donation is infrequently practiced but has been successfully implemented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To raise awareness among healthcare professionals about organ donation after euthanasia.
- To provide a practical guide for the organizational aspects of this combined procedure.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multidisciplinary practical manual by Maastricht University Medical Center and Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam.
- The manual outlines organizational steps, criteria, and regulatory compliance for the combined procedure.
Main Results:
- The manual details the necessary criteria and regulatory compliance for stakeholders involved in organ donation after euthanasia.
- Over 40 cases of combined euthanasia and organ donation have been performed in Belgium and the Netherlands since 2005.
Conclusions:
- A practical manual has been developed to guide the operational aspects of organ donation after euthanasia.
- This resource aims to facilitate the process for patients requesting donation and for healthcare providers.