Donation after euthanasia
In the Netherlands, donation after euthanasia is becoming increasingly common. On this page, you can read what organ and tissue donation after euthanasia entails. We also explain the impact donation after euthanasia has on the passing and saying goodbye.
Organ donation after euthanasia
There are a few things that determine whether donation after euthanasia is truly possible. For example, the patient's condition and the illness the patient has. The organs must also be healthy and in good enough condition for transplantation.
To determine this, the patient undergoes various examinations before the euthanasia. These sometimes take place at home, but always in the hospital as well. Sometimes the examinations show that a person cannot donate organs, or that not all organs are suitable. The patient may decide at any time not to donate organs after all, even after the examinations.
Does someone choose organ donation after euthanasia? Then it is not possible to pass away at home. The doctors must remove the organs quickly after death. This can only be done in the hospital.
Tissue donation after euthanasia
Tissue donation after euthanasia is possible up to approximately 86 years of age. For tissue donation, it is not necessary to undergo additional examinations before the euthanasia. However, the doctor will look at the patient's condition and illness. Sometimes, for that reason, tissue donation is not possible.
With tissue donation, the euthanasia can take place at home, and a person can pass away at home. Afterward, the donor is taken to a hospital or funeral home. The surgery to remove the tissues takes place there.
Which organs and tissues can you donate after euthanasia?
Organs
Organs that are suitable for transplantation after euthanasia are: the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, and pancreas.
Tissues
Tissues that someone can donate after euthanasia are: eye tissue, skin, heart valves, bone, cartilage, and tendon tissue.
Saying goodbye during organ donation after euthanasia
If someone chooses organ donation after euthanasia, it can be difficult for the surviving relatives. The farewell is often different than when someone does not donate organs. They must say goodbye within five minutes after death, because the surgery must begin shortly after death. Also, in the case of organ donation, the patient cannot die at home. It is therefore important that the patient discusses the decision thoroughly with their loved ones and their (GP) doctor. The patient may also decide at any time not to become a donor after all.
'The fact that he could donate organs has given me a lot of comfort'
When Ed became seriously ill, euthanasia was discussed. He made his wish clear: euthanasia and organ donation. His wife Anita tells how this was made possible.
Read the story here
After the donation
If surviving relatives want to know if the organ transplants were successful, they will hear this from the organ donation coordinator. This is someone who ensures the donation procedure runs as smoothly as possible.
If you want to know the results of the tissue donation, you can tell the doctor. You will then receive a letter after about one week from the Dutch Transplant Foundation stating which tissues were donated and a brochure with information about the use of donated tissue.
You will not be told who received the organs or tissues. That remains anonymous. That is laid down by law.
Sometimes a recipient of a donor organ or tissue writes a thank-you letter to the surviving relatives. The letter is anonymous and you receive it via the NTS. The surviving relatives only receive such a letter if they want to.
Information for patients
Do you have questions about organ and/or tissue donation after euthanasia? You can contact your (GP) doctor, or the doctor assisting you with your euthanasia request. Once your euthanasia request has been officially approved, you can submit a request for donation to your GP. The GP will contact the Dutch Transplant Foundation. You may withdraw the request for organ and tissue donation after euthanasia at any time.