Organ donation process and management of the organ donor

Organ transplantation is the accepted therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, the national waitlist continues to increase because of a shortage of organ donors. Organ donation is a process that includes (1) identification of a potential donor, (2) timely determination of neurologic death, (3) authorization for donation, (4) perioperative donor management, and (5) recovery of organs for transplantation. Successful organ recovery requires a collaborative approach involving the critical care team, organ procurement organization, and other medical specialists. Evolving areas in transplantation include vascularized composite allografts and use of donor organs from neonates, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis-positive donors..