Status: 08.04.2022 1:26 p.m
In the first quarter of this year there were significantly fewer organ donations in Germany than in the same period last year. The German Foundation for Organ Transplantation is “deeply concerned” about the development.
According to the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation (DSO), the number of organ donations fell massively at the beginning of this year. The nationwide coordination center reported a slump of 29 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. 176 donors gave 562 organs, in the same period last year 249 donors had donated 778 organs. The number of organs removed after death fell by 28 percent to 562.
Axel Rahmel, Medical Director of the DSO, said he was “deeply concerned”: “We are facing a dramatic development for the approximately 8,500 patients on the waiting lists.” The burglary came “completely unexpected”. The DSO appealed not to lose sight of patients on organ waiting lists.
Staff shortages a reason for decline
According to the DSO, the sharp decline is partly due to the effects of the pandemic. The high number of infections would have led to an increased shortage of staff in the intensive care units. Due to the workload, fewer organ donations could probably have been realized. Doctors also stopped the organ donation process in almost twice as many cases as in the same period last year because an infection with the corona virus without symptoms was found during examinations before the procedure.
Another reason for the decline in organ donations is the fact that in many more cases the cycle of potential donors collapsed before brain death. The organs of a donor must be kept functional after brain death in intensive care. If the cardiovascular system fails prematurely, organ donation is no longer possible.