title: [Organ transplantation in Germany: Critical examination in times of scarce resources].
abstract: Organ transplantation over the last 40 years has developed into a standardized successful procedure for the replacement of heart, kidney liver, lung, and pancreas. During this time, treatment strategies have greatly improved and novel procedures such as living related organ donation have been introduced. Despite these improvements, the number of organ transplants has stalled in recent years. In the face of increasing numbers of patients on the waiting list for organ transplantation, this situation is unacceptable and ways to improve the situation of organ transplantation have to be found.The reasons for the stagnant situation in organ transplantation are manifold and include lack of awareness in the general population, insufficient organ procurement in hospitals as well as problems in organ allocation. The criteria for organ allocation have been unfairly reported to EUROTRANSPLANT by some of the presently 44 centers in order of more rapidly receive an organ for their patients on the waiting list. The evolving discussions around this so-called transplantation scandal has further eroded support for organ transplantation in Germany. A critical assessment and a well-defined plan are necessary to improve the situation, increase the number of transplanted organs, and reduce the unacceptably long waiting time for patients in Germany.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Herz-, Thorax-, Transplantations- und Gefäßchirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland. haller.hermann@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018579:Patient Selection; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Allocation of organs; German Transplantation Act; Organ procurement; Quality assurance, health care; Waiting lists