The most important reason for lack of organ donation is family refusal

INTRODUCTION: There is a worldwide shortage of organs for transplantation. This survey aims to compare two periods in the 2000s at a large neuro-intensive care unit with respect to de facto organ donors, potential organ donors and reasons for non-donation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This survey is a retrospective examination of all patients who died in the Neuro-intensive Care Unit at Rigshospitalet from 1/1 2000 to 30/6 2003 ("the first period") and from 1/1 2007 to 30/6 2010 ("the second period"). RESULTS: The number of patients who died in the Neuro-intensive Care Unit was 350 in the first period and 270 in the second period. Approximately half of all deceased patients in a neuro-intensive care unit are potential organ donors. Of the potential donors, 42 (27%) in the first and 48 (37%) in the second period became de facto donors. The main reason for non-donation among potential organ donors was lack of consent from next of kin (44% and 40%). The median time from brain death to recovery of organs in the second period was 5 h 45 m. DISCUSSION: The conversion rate tends to rise. Few people took an active standing against organ donation (10% and 2%); yet many family members refused to consent to organ donation. Consent was provided by the deceased in only 12% and 21% of the cases. The Danish organ procurement team is highly effective with a median time from brain death to recovery of organs of 5 h 45 m.