New Technology Revolutionises Organ Allocation Process

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 09 Dec 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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A new software system developed to speed up the process of allocating donated organs for transplant has already helped to save lives.

The first 15 offerings of organs for transplantation have been completed using the Electronic Offering System (EOS). Based on these early successes in Cambridge and Manchester, the system will now be introduced across the country.

EOS uses a mix of electronic forms and computer graphics to record and store donor data and identify organs available for transplantation in real time. 3G enabled laptops allow Donor Transplant Co-ordinators (DTCs) to work independently in intensive care units until they are ready to share stored information with the national transplant database via the secure NHSBT network. With improved accuracy, efficiency and security, the system speeds up the allocation process, freeing up DTCs to spend more time supporting donor families.

In response to recommendations made in "Organs for Transplant", the first report of the Organ Donation Taskforce, NHSBT commissioned global services company, Sapient, to design an electronic system for organ offering. EOS was developed following extensive work with teams of Donor Transplant Co-ordinators, NHSBT's duty office staff and recipient co-ordinators at transplant centres to ensure it clearly conveys the information currently required and is flexible enough for additional options to be developed later.

John Richardson, Team Leader for NHSBT's Donor Transplant Coordinators in London said: "For sometime we have admired the electronic offering systems used by our colleagues in the US and Europe. Now we have EOS that will allow for the electronic transmission of data to all those involved in the process, allowing quicker access to accurate donor information."

Sue Falvey, NHSBT's Director of Donor Care & Co-ordination said: "This is a very exciting development which will deliver a world class system for the offering of donated organs. It also has the potential for added functions such as entering tissue types which are used in a number of organ allocations, particularly kidneys."

Notes

1. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in the NHS. It is the organ donor organisation for the UK and is responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. Its remit also includes the provision of a reliable, efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS.

2. Donor Transplant Co-ordinators (DTCs) are specialist healthcare professionals who liaise with bereaved families to explain organ donation and ensure that donors' wishes are respected. NHSBT is currently developing a UK-wide network of DTCs which will ultimately double their number to 250.

3. Both reports of the Organ Donation Taskforce are available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/organdonationtaskforce

4. Last year 3,237 organ transplants were carried out in the UK but the number needing a transplant is steadily increasing, with almost 8,000 people currently waiting for a transplant. Around 1,000 die while waiting because of the shortage of donated organs.

5. The NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential database operated by NHSBT that contains the names of more than 15.9 million people who wish to pass on the gift of life through organ donation after their death. This figure represents 26% of the total UK population. The register can be accessed by authorised medical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to establish an individual's wishes for donation. EOS does not interface with this database, it communicates only with the National Transplant Database which holds the details of those in need of an organ transplant.

6. The Human Tissue Act 2004 makes clear that the wishes of the deceased must be put first and where a person has expressed a wish to donate by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, carrying a donor card or verbally or in writing to a family member or friend, NHS staff will do all they can to ensure those wishes are fulfilled.

7. Sapient, a global services company, helps clients innovate in the areas of technology, business operations and marketing. Its public sector practice has successfully delivered business process and online services solutions to the UK public sector and health organisations - see http://www.sapient.com

There are currently almost 16 million people on the NHS Organ Donor Register. To join call 0845 60 60 400, text GIVE to 84118 or go to http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

Have your say about organ donation and contribute to the national debate by taking part in our online survey at http://www.transplant.org.uk.

NHS Blood and Transplant

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