Persian Possible Donor Detection Program, a Way to Decrease Shortage of Organ Donors

Background and aim One of the most important worldwide reason of suitable organ shortage for transplantation is inappropriate possible donor detection. Nowadays there are three different methods of donor identification in the world include passive detection, administrative detection and active detection. This study evaluated the effectiveness of one new method of donor detection which is combination of administrative and active detection named PPDDP (Persian Possible Donor Detection project). Methods and materials This study was conducted in one OPU center in Iran in 2013 which was consisted of: -IP(Inspector Project): using trained nurses for visiting the ICUs regularly -TDDP (Telephone Donor Detection Program) using trained medical staffs for primary evaluation of possible donors and following GCS 4 and 5 and GCS3 non-brain dead cases by phone -HR (Hospital Reporting): reporting the possible donors to the OPUs by hospitals Results The number of possible donor detection increased from 70 cases per month to 475 during one year that showed the significant difference between PPDDP technique and traditional approach (P = 0.001). Furthermore, we revealed of 1560 possible donor patients who were detected with GCS = 4 or 5 in one year, 88 cases donated the organs, of 213 patients with GCS = 3 but non-BD (Potential donors), 61 cases and of 475 cases with GCS = 3 and BD (suspicious to be eligible donors as the inspectors point of view) 158 cases donated the organs. Altogether, we had 158 actual donors from eligible detected donors by inspector and 149 actual donors due to following the possible and potential donors and totally 307 actual donors/year. Conclusion The study showed that the PPDDP technique significantly increased the rate of potential organ donation. Keywords: PPDDP, donation, brain death, transplantation, donors.