Assessment of Donation Potential After Circulatory Death as the First Step in Implementing and Running a Hospital Program of Organ Procurement

Abstract Background In Poland the potential for organ donation from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors is not known. This assessment will allow the hospital to create a quality organ harvesting system from this group of donors. Aims The aim of this study was to assess the DCD potential based on retrospective analysis of hospital deaths at Hospital Infant Jesus in Warsaw. Methods Documentation of 718 deceased patients from 2010 to 2014 was analyzed. This population could be classified as potential DCD donors in IIb category. The deceased's characteristics were analyzed while undergoing the qualification process for DCD. The analysis was to confirm the presence or absence of factors disqualifying kidneys from donation and transplantation. Data from particular departments and from the entire hospital were analyzed. Results The total number of deaths was 718. Excluding factors from the DCD donation process were found in 664 cases (92%), mainly age >60 and concomitant diseases. The rest of the patients (n = 54.8%) did not have factors that would exclude DCD donation. Group characteristics are given in detail. Summary The attempt to measure donation potential was done at the Hospital of the Infant Jesus in Warsaw, a large, multispecialty hospital with intensive organ donation and transplantation programs. Results show a potential for DCD donation (54 potential donations over the last 4years), which allows us to create a quality system and algorithms for organ donation after circulation death.