Organ donation and transplantation as health programs in Italy

Abstract

Organ and tissue donation and transplantation have a role in public health programs as organizational projects designed by public health departments to increase the quality and number of donations and transplantations. These programs serve as communication projects to inform public opinion on cerebral death, organ and tissue shortages, procurement and allocation rules, and the quality of life of transplanted patients. The health department of Emilia-Romagna created a regional law and a multimedia communication program for these purposes, resulting in a 95% increase of cadaver donor in 4 years. In 1995, regional activity reached the European mean level and afterwards surpassed it. In 1997, the bone bank was activated, followed in 1998 by the heart valve and vascular segment bank. The regional health department now considers transplant activities a primary goal; human and professional relations between intensive care units and the transplant reference center are considered crucial; cooperation among health departments, medical teams involved in organ procurement and transplant activities has been fostered, and the local coordination network has been active and efficient. The public information campaign has proven important in providing information both to professionals and citizens.

Potential Living Kidney Donors' Health Education Use and Comfort with Donation

“…22,25 Understanding who potential donors are may help increase donation rates, as seen in cadaveric organ procurement. 26,27 Because most willing cadaveric donors have been shown to be better informed about organ donation, to have discussed donation more often with family members, and to know more people who had signed donor cards, 28 we have been able to design media campaigns and health interventions to target these Potential living kidney donors' health education use and comfort with donation individuals. Cadaveric donation research has assisted organ requestors in understanding how best to request organs from grieving family members 10,29 ; significantly increasing high school students' knowledge, attitudes, and intention to discuss cadaveric donation with their families and friends 30 ; and increasing minority donation rates.…”

Defining Quality Criteria for Success in Organ Donation Programs: A Scoping Review

“…When evidence-based strategies to improve donation rates are promoted through publicity, public education, and infrastructure improvements, increased donation rates are more likely to occur. 46,47,51 National transplant organizations that provide national oversight and supportive legislation effectively manage regulations, professional standards and ethics, 21,23,42,51 monitoring and evaluating organ donation and transplantation programs, 47,48 and quality and safety, 56 and consequently increase organ donation rates. National standardization of quality improvement policies for organ donation across different jurisdictions increases government accountability and the quality of the organ donation program.…”

“…37,43 Public policies. In 12 papers 22,24,40,43,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] we identified this attribute, which included reports of developing and implementing national or local policies to regulate and organize organ donation and transplantation activities and set actions to improve organ donation rates. National and local policies may lead to successful outcomes in organ donation programs.…”

Donor Action Program in the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy

“…The introduction of new organizational models in combination with stronger support of organ donation in the Emilia-Romagna region could also have contributed to the increased identification of potential donors. 13 An increase in the number of potential donors referred to the transplant referral center was observed throughout the past decade, even when the Donor Action program had not been implemented. Nevertheless the increase in referral of potential donors was greater because of the implementation of the program ( Figure 6).…”