Articles
Read articles here about organ and tissue donation. Discover the latest developments, the experiences of surviving relatives, and research by doctors.
Better preparation for transplants thanks to access to CT scans
For donor surgeries, a CT scan of the donor is made beforehand. Since November 2025, the receiving surgeon can also view those images. “I find it incredibly nice to be able to look for myself: will this organ fit this patient?”
Advice for doctors on using the Quality Standard for Donation
Donation intensivist Farid Abdo often conducts donation conversations and explains how he can apply the advice from IQ healthcare's research into the quality standard in practice.
'The mountain of paperwork after tissue retrieval is a thing of the past'
The Delta application has digitized the paper-based process for tissue retrieval. A great example of collaboration between the NTS and WUON.
Prediction model for time until death
Donation intensivist Angela Kotsopoulos developed a model to predict the time until death.
How do you conduct a culturally sensitive conversation?
What should you pay attention to during a conversation about organ donation? How do you handle this when it is viewed differently from various backgrounds? Read the interview with Ramzi Oulad Lmaroudia.
Organ donation after euthanasia for mental suffering
More and more patients wishing for euthanasia want to donate organs after their death. This increasingly applies to people who choose euthanasia due to mental suffering. This development requires careful consideration, clear procedures, and a well-timed conversation.
'A thank-you letter brings closure'
Surviving relatives of donors usually appreciate receiving a thank-you letter. Janneke Vervelde (LUMC) has ensured more national attention for thank-you letters.
'50 percent more kidney transplants through Cross-over+'
Jacqueline van de Wetering and Kristiaan Glorie are working together on Cross-over+. This exchange program improves the matching of living kidney donors and patients.
‘Achievements that no one thought were ever possible again’
With a donor organ, you can still play sports, even at a high level. During the European Transplant Games, hundreds of athletes show what is possible after a transplant.
Nationwide study: effectiveness of aNRP in donor livers
A nationwide study is underway in 3 liver centers into abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (aNRP), a technique to keep donor organs viable.
Brain death and the brain death protocol: care above all
Discussions about determining brain death flare up from time to time. Michael Kuiper and Rob Rouhl explain how we handle this carefully in the Netherlands.
Data and people together make the difference
Thanks to data, doctors and patients can make better choices and the differences in working methods and treatment choices between doctors are reduced. Yet the human factor remains essential.
DCD heart donation in the Netherlands: a national success
Heart donation from DCD donors has resulted in many additional transplants. The results are at least as good as with DBD heart donation.
Use of AI after kidney transplantation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize the assessment of transplanted kidneys. What are the opportunities and what are the challenges?
Organ donation after euthanasia from home: where do we stand now?
It is now possible to start the organ donation procedure after euthanasia (ODEH) from home. What are the developments?
Evaluation: Quality Standard for Donation in practice
Sanne van Oosterhout (IQ healthcare Radboudumc) conducted research into donation conversations and the use of the Quality Standard for Donation. She discovered 4 conversation routes.
Pilot CT scan for better donor screening
Does a CT scan contribute to better donor screening in preparation for organ donation? The initial experiences from an NTS pilot are positive.
'No fewer than four sisters wanted to be kidney donors'
When Herman needed a new kidney, no fewer than 4 of his sisters wanted to be donors. A luxury position for Herman, but also a dilemma for the sisters.
Concerns of family regarding organ donation: 'Pay attention to the signals'
Loved ones of organ donors often have concerns, for example, whether their loved one will be able to die peacefully. How can you support them? Experts provide tips. Such as: actively ask about concerns, listen above all, and accommodate wishes where possible.
Cultural diversity in organ donation: 'Every person is different'
How do you conduct a good donation conversation if loved ones have a different cultural background than your own? The basis: tune in to the individual and ask open-minded questions. “You don't need to know so much about all kinds of cultures, because people will be happy to tell you.”
The journey from donor to recipient
Every organ transplant is the result of a tightly orchestrated chain, in which people, resources, and timelines come together. Who is involved and what requirements and challenges are involved before an organ reaches the recipient?
Noticing concerns and providing aftercare: how to better support the loved ones of an organ donor
Organ donation is profound for loved ones. How can care for them be even better? Gert Olthuis (Radboudumc) led a study. Read the results here.
‘I can get an incredible amount out of the Kidney Dashboard’
Stefan Berger is an internist-nephrologist at UMC Groningen. As an enthusiastic user of the Kidney Dashboard, he takes us through its applications for his own center and at a national level.
‘With the child protocol, you quickly have all the facts in order’
Nikki Duijst is an organ donation coordinator at UMCG Groningen. Just after her onboarding period, she had to deal with an organ donation involving a child.
OPTC: a challenging new role
The role of Organ Perfusionist-Transplant Coordinator (OPTC) is still relatively new. What are the experiences so far?
Xenotransplantation: opportunities and dilemmas
Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs between animal species. How do we feel about this in the Netherlands and what is the ultimate goal?
Innovations in donation and transplantation
Developments in the world of donation and transplantation are moving fast. Examples include machine perfusion, artificial intelligence, the use of cultured tissue, and xenotransplantation.
‘A separate protocol for children is very valuable’
Marion Siebelink took the initiative for the Child as Donor protocol and explains how this protocol is used in practice.
‘New techniques require new skills’
Thanks to surgeon Prof. Dr. Andrzej Baranski (LUMC), the training of retrieval surgeons has been greatly improved. Baranski talks about the start of the training and the opportunities for the future.
Research: tissue donation conversations in practice
How do conversations about tissue donation go in practice? Especially when discussing 'no-objection registration', there is room for improvement, research shows.
New opportunities for damaged organs
Ton Rabelink discusses four major breakthroughs and innovations and the social debate.
‘A donation involving a child is always extra emotional’
Marjan Bijmolen is an organ donation coordinator (ODC) at the UMCG in Groningen. She talks about procedures involving children, which are often difficult.
