Shortage of kidneys, a solvable problem? The Leuven experience. Leuven Collaborative Group for Transplantation.
Our 10-year experience with the LCGT indicates that close collaboration of nephrologists from peripheral centers for the long-term follow-up of transplanted patients presented no obstacles to excellent patient and graft survival rates. At the same time, "decentralization" greatly increased the motivation of collaborating centers to participate in organ procurement. In addition, the introduction of an "opting out" law provided spectacular stimulation for collaborating center participation. For the first time in many years, the number of transplants was higher than the number of new candidates registered on the waiting list.
Vanrenterghem
Y
Y
Department of Nephrology, U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Waer
M
M
Roels
L
L
Lerut
T
T
Gruwez
J
J
Vandeputte
M
M
Michielsen
P
P
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002102:Cadaver; D006085:Graft Survival; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015996:Survival Rate; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration