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a lady who is on the phone in the hospital. She has another phone in her hand

Project

VobO pilot

In a pilot, the NTS investigated the value of early support for organ donation. The results were positive and the method has now been implemented nationwide.

Goal
Collaboration
Approach
Results

In the Early Support for Organ Donation (VobO) pilot, doctors received support from an organ donation coordinator (ODC) early in the donation process. The pilot proved successful and the method will be rolled out nationwide in April 2025.

Organ donation occurs relatively infrequently. As a result, doctors lack routine in the donation process. An organ donation coordinator (ODC) is an expert in the field of donation and transplantation. Previously, an ODC was only brought in after the donation conversation. In this pilot, doctors received support from an ODC early in the process.

What was the goal?

With this pilot, we wanted to know whether the earlier deployment of an ODC works better and leads to:

  • Earlier and better identification of potential donors.
  • More support during the procedure and relief for doctors.
  • Better preparation and guidance for surviving relatives.
Laptop and glasses on desk

Collaboration

The NTS coordinated the pilot on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The implementation took place in close collaboration with the pilot hospitals:

  • RadboudUMC and Maasziekenhuis Pantein
  • ETZ
  • Erasmus MC, Franciscus Vlietland, and Reinier de Graaf

And of course, organ donation coordinators, the Organ Center, and the acute care physicians also collaborated.

Hospital hall

Approach

Working method during the pilot

  • In the event of a poor prognosis, the physician calls the Organ Center to consult the Donor Register.
  • The Organ Center calls the ODC.
  • The ODC discusses medical suitability, legal aspects, and planning.
  • The ODC prepares for the donation conversation together with the physician and can be present during it.
Image of a woman in the hospital talking to someone on the phone

Results and implementation

Early contact with an organ donation coordinator (ODC) proved successful. As of April 2025, this will be the national working method. The description has been included in the donation procedure.

Implementation

Upon the launch of the new working method, we sent materials to the hospitals to support implementation.

Poster (PDF)Checklist for ODC
VobO working method poster