Organ shortages: maximising the donor potential

Of all the problems foreseen in the pioneering days of organ transplantation, a shortage of donor organs, was not even remotely considered as a barrier to progress. Such has been the success of transplantation over the last two decades, organ shortage is now considered the major limitation. This chapter will concentrate on efforts to increase the donor potential. The development of Organ Exchange Organizations is briefly described with special emphasis on their role in organ allocation systems to avoid wastage of this precious resource, procurement transplant coordinators, the organization of organ procurement and the consent process. We look briefly at the influence of the media and end with some considerations on how to maximise the current supply of organs for transplantation.