Organ donation and removal for therapeutic purposes

Who needs a transplant?

Individuals who are ill and suffer irreversible damage to one of their organs that cannot be cured by other types of medical treatment. Transplantation is their only solution to avoid death or to enjoy a better quality of life.

How does the donation-transplant process work?

Organ donation can only be carried out in an authorised hospital. Following death, the Transplant Coordination Team:

• Conducts death checks as required by law.
• Evaluates the suitability of the organs and tissues for transplantation.
• Consults the family about the deceased's wishes regarding organ donation.
• After the donation, the body is returned to the family for viewing, without any alteration in appearance.

How is the donation-transplant process organised?

The donation-transplant process begins with an act of solidarity and generosity, but requires the effective and synchronised intervention of multiple professionals. Every hospital authorised for donation and/or transplantation has a Transplant Coordination Team.

How does someone become a donor?

Simply be willing to become a donor and let your loved ones know. In the event of death in circumstances that allow for donation, the family will be consulted about the deceased's wishes regarding donation. Respecting the wishes of the deceased makes it easier for the family to make the decision about donation and can help them to cope with their loss.

The donation-transplant process begins with an act of solidarity and generosity, but requires the effective and synchronised intervention of multiple professionals.

How can I record my wishes regarding donation?

According to Spanish legislation, in order to proceed with donation when a person dies in circumstances that allow some of their organs to be valid for transplantation, we must verify that the deceased did not object to donation. To this end, an interview is held with the family members so that they can convey the wishes of the deceased to us, as they are witnesses to their life and those who may know their last wishes.

There are three ways of formally documenting our intentions regarding the donation:

• Communicating our decision to donate to our loved ones.
• The Organ and Tissue Donor Card.
• The Advance Directives Registry.

How are transplants regulated?

Transplants are regulated by the Spanish Organ Removal and Transplantation Act (Law 30/1979) and the corresponding implementing decrees (Royal Decrees 2070/1999 and 1301/2006), thus ensuring that transplants are altruistic, fair, free, and anonymous.

The OCATT (Organizació Catalana de Trasplantaments - Catalan Transplant Organisation) is the organisation responsible for planning, organising and coordinating activities related to the removal, preservation, distribution, transplantation and exchange of organs and tissues for therapeutic use in Catalonia.

What is brain death?

Brain death, also referred to as cerebral death, is the cessation of all brain functions. From a medical, scientific, legal, ethical and social point of view, brain death is the death of the person as such.

Under what circumstances must death occur in order for organs and tissues to be donated?

In order to donate organs and tissues, the donor must die suddenly and must not have suffered from any diseases that could be transmitted to recipients through the transplanted organs or tissues. Furthermore, death must occur in a hospital where measures can be established to preserve organs or tissues, ensuring their function after transplantation.

How will the wishes of organ and tissue donors be respected after their death?

If donation is possible, the hospital transplant coordinator will verify the donor's wishes expressed during their lifetime using all means at their disposal, mainly through an interview with their family, who are their witnesses in life and can therefore convey their wishes if they had expressed them or, if not, interpret them.

Can you be an organ donor while you are still alive?

In certain circumstances, an organ (a kidney, for example) or part of an organ (part of the liver) can be obtained from a living donor.