donortype

Donor type is a label used in medical donation processes to categorize donors according to factors that affect eligibility, risk, and outcomes. It applies across organ, tissue, blood, and research donations and informs allocation, risk assessment, and policy. The concept helps systems compare graft viability, prioritize needs, and communicate donor characteristics to clinicians and patients.

In solid organ transplantation, donors are commonly categorized as living or deceased. Deceased donors can be donated after brain death (DBD) or after circulatory death (DCD). Living donors may be related or unrelated to the recipient. Compatibility criteria typically include blood type and HLA matching, with terminology such as standard criteria donors (SCD) and extended criteria donors (ECD) used for risk stratification. Donor type also covers organ-specific considerations (kidney, liver, heart, etc.) and affects factors like ischemia time and graft survival.

In blood and tissue donation, donor type includes whole blood donors, platelet donors, plasma donors, and tissue donors. Arrangements can be voluntary, directed, or, in some jurisdictions, compensated. Donor screening for infectious diseases and health status is a routine part of determining donor type and suitability for different products.

Data about donor type are recorded in transplant registries and donor databases to track outcomes, optimize allocation algorithms, and support research into improving safety and effectiveness. Ethical considerations include donor safety, informed consent, privacy, and ensuring fair access and avoiding inappropriate incentives. Terminology and classifications for donor type vary by country and program, and there is no universal standard; definitions adapt as practices and policies evolve.