Donorzorg

Donorzorg, or donor care, is the set of practices and processes surrounding organ donation, from the identification of potential donors in hospital to the coordination of organ retrieval and the support of the donor’s family. It combines medical management aimed at preserving organ viability with ethical, legal, and psychosocial considerations.

Clinically, donor care involves timely identification of potential donors, assessment of medical suitability, and maintenance of physiological conditions to maximize transplant outcomes. This often requires specialized teams, such as donor coordinators, to monitor the donor, optimize perfusion, and coordinate the logistics of organ preservation and transfer to receiving centers. Documentation, adherence to clinical pathways, and compliance with regulations are central to ensuring patient safety and the integrity of the donation process.

Communication with the donor’s family is a core component of donor care. Trained professionals provide clear, compassionate information about the donation process, obtain consent where required, respect the donor’s previously stated wishes, and offer bereavement support and cultural sensitivity. Privacy and confidentiality are maintained throughout.

Organizational aspects include collaboration between hospitals, donor networks or procurement organizations, and transplant centers. These bodies handle eligibility screening, legal compliance, data collection, quality assurance, and ongoing training. Ethical considerations, such as autonomy, informed consent, and equitable access to transplant resources, guide practice and policy.

Outcomes focus on honoring donor and family wishes, improving transplant success rates, and providing follow-up support. Donorzorg aims for respectful treatment of donors and families while enabling lifesaving transplantation through coordinated, ethical care.