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Impressum
Strategies to increase cornea donations on the basis of the German Transplantation Law
Blüthner K., Bergua A., Küchle M., Viestenz A., Seitz B.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen
Objective: Since December 01, 1997 the German Transplantation
Law regulates the donation, excision and transplantation of corneas. The
law of transplantation was expected to gain a positive resonance in the
population and raised hopes for increased readiness of donation. To reduce
the waiting time for a cornea (200-250 patients on the waiting list),
we introduced the "Cooperative Program for Corneal Transplantation
" (CPCT) during 1998 in our hospital. It was meant to improve a transparent
cooperation between university hospitals, the neighboring municipal hospitals
and the public.
Methods: New forms for ascertainment of death and the will for
cornea donation were prepared. We developed a discreet letter for the
next of kin of the potential donor including the request for cornea donation.
This letter makes it easier to ask next of kin. In addition, we prepared
a folder with photos of eyes before and after corneal transplantation.
Every 3 months we printed a folder with current information about transplantation
in general, special information on corneal transplantation, the waiting
list and a geographical sketch of the participants in our CPCT. These
folders were sent to all participating physicians. Personal contacts with
neighboring municipal hospitals were intensified through presentations
on corneal transplantation topics during postgraduate medical education
sessions.
Results: In 1997, the year where the law of transplantation came
into force, we had 127 cornea donors from 10 hospitals, in 1998 only 92
donors from 10 hospitals. Since the introduction of our CPCT the number
of donors increased to 167 from 20 hospitals in 1999 and 163 donors from
17 hospitals in 2000.
Conclusions: A law alone is not able to increase the number of
donors. Only by intensive public relations, personal contacts to the hospitals,
permanent reminders of the critical situation with many patients waiting
for a graft and an optimal logistics can increase of the readiness for
donation may be achieved.