52How is transplantation organised?
When a patient is considered as a potential organ donor, the local donor transplant co-ordinator is contacted. If the family agree to donation the transplant co-ordinator must ensure that the medical tests such as blood group and tissue type matching are carried out. They also research the donor's medical history by reviewing the medical notes, talking to the family and liaising with doctors who may have treated the donor in the past.
All patients who are waiting for transplants are registered on the National Transplant Database at UK Transplant and when organs from a donor become available a computer search is made to find the most suitable recipients.
A team of specialist surgeons is called to the donor's hospital to carry out the surgery to remove and preserve the organs for transport to the transplant unit. During the operation the surgeon will make a final decision that the organs are healthy and not diseased or damaged in any way which may make them unsuitable for use. This will mean that a waiting patient's hopes are dashed and that their wait for a transplant must continue.
If all is well, the organ is received at the transplant unit and transplanted immediately. The process of recovery and new life can then begin.
53Who are transplant co-ordinators?
Donor transplant co-ordinators are responsible for the care of the person who has died, speaking to their family and organising the organ donation procedure. They support families before, during and after donation and are there to answer any questions they might have. Part of their role is to ensure that the donor's family is told in general terms about the eventual use of the donated organs, eg the heart went to a young man who is doing well.
Confidentiality is always maintained.
They also work with their local community to make people aware of why organ donation is so important and train and educate health professionals about what is obviously a sensitive and delicate subject.
Recipient transplant co-ordinators help to assess patients' suitability to go on the transplant waiting list and organise the transplant operation as well as follow-up consultations for those patients who have been lucky enough to receive a donated organ. Some co-ordinators work with both recipients and donor families.
