Organ donation card
The organ donor card (Germany) or the donor card or organ donation card (Switzerland) include a written declaration of intent for the death . It explains the issuing person, whether a transfer of some or all organs and tissues agrees to donation purposes or removal rejects. Another possibility is to appoint a third party to be authorized to make this decision in the event of brain death .
Provided that the ID can be found and filled out unambiguously if necessary, the potential organ donor can be sure that his wishes and restrictions will be followed. A corresponding note in a living will or an informal declaration is also sufficient. For a donation of the entire body for medical purposes, however, a separate agreement is required that cannot be made by third parties.
Germany
Legal issues
The organ donation card issued by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) is not an official form . It is also possible to write down the wish to donate all or individual organs informally on a piece of paper. Minors can also create an organ donation card. According to the German Transplantation Act , young people from their 16th birthday can effectively declare their willingness to donate organs. Organ donation can be effectively revoked from the age of 14. In the case of younger donors, the decision is made by the legal guardian.
On November 1, 2012, the amendment to the Transplantation Act came into force. This revision should ensure that every German citizen is informed at least every two years about the possibilities of organ donation. There was no obligation to make a decision.
Structure of the organ donation card
The most widely used organ donation card in Germany is issued by the BZgA and is in credit card format . The name and address of the ID card holder must be entered on the front. The card holder submits his personal statement on organ donation on the back by choosing the one that applies to him from the options listed there . If necessary, the information can be supplemented in the Comments / Special Notes section and are deemed to be confirmed by the signature of the ID card holder and the date of issue. It is available on paper or as a plastic card.
Another possibility to document one's will is “the other organ donor card”. In contrast to the BZgA ID card , there are more options here to specify your own wishes more precisely. This card is offered by the Association of Evangelical Women in Germany (EFiD) .
Others
The organ donation card is available free of charge in many pharmacies, medical practices and hospitals as well as health insurance companies. It can also be requested online in large numbers from the BZgA free of charge. By filling out the organ donation card, you are not registered and you can change your details at any time. It is recommended that you always have your ID with you and that you get a new ID at regular intervals so that your own will is underlined by a current date.
History and statistics
The first organ donation card in Germany was issued on November 3rd, 1971 by the then Hamburg health authority (today: Authority for Labor, Health, Social Affairs, Family and Integration ).
In a representative GfK survey in 2001, 6.7 percent of the population stated that they wanted to be an organ donor after death and that they would have an ID card; another 23 percent also wanted to donate their organs after death, but had no ID; 19.3 percent rejected organ donations.
In 2007, 13 percent of 18 to 29 year olds in Germany had an organ donor card. At the end of 2007, the federal government distributed six million ID cards in one campaign.
In 2008, 16 percent of the population stated that they wanted to be an organ donor after death and that they had an ID card; a further 52 percent also wanted to donate their organs after death, but had no ID; 5.3 percent rejected organ donations. At the end of 2008, ten million ID cards were distributed in Germany's pharmacies.
The Federal Center for Health Education states that it distributes 1.5 million organ donation cards and around 800,000 brochures every year.
In 2010, the Techniker Krankenkasse distributed another 2 million ID cards in a campaign.
Since November 1, 2012, with the entry into force of the new Transplantation Act, health insurers have been obliged to ask their insured persons aged 16 and over in writing whether they are willing to donate organs. An organ donor card will also be sent to you. On May 30, 2013, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Center for Health Education launched a new campaign called "This is what you wear today: the organ donor card". With it, more Germans should decide again for an organ donor card.
Switzerland
Legal issues
In Switzerland, the extended consent solution applies .
Switzerland donation card
The Swiss donation card is not an official form.
The following options can be selected when specifying surname, first name, date of birth and signature:
- In the event of my death, I authorize the removal of any organs, tissues and cells.
- In the event of my death, I permit the removal of (tick): heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, pancreas, cornea, skin, other tissues and cells.
- In the event of my death, I will not allow the removal of organs, tissues or cells from my body.
In addition, the name, address and telephone number of a person of trust can be given who should decide whether organs , tissues or cells to be removed in the event of death .
Without exception, the donation card is given together with a comprehensive information brochure.
See also
- Eurotransplant (responsible for Benelux , Germany , Austria , Croatia , Slovenia )
- Power of attorney
Web links
- BZgA website to order or download an ID card free of charge (also available in 27 foreign languages)
- Create and print out organ donation card online
literature
- Marco Andrea Frei: The extended consent solution according to Art. 8 Transplantation Act . Schulthess Verlag, Zurich 2012, ISBN 978-3-7255-6708-9
Individual evidence
- ↑ Paragraph II of the TPG November 1, 2012
- ↑ Order organ donation card . Federal Center for Health Education. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ↑ Home. In: Organ donation, I decide. Accessed March 31, 2020 (German).
- ↑ Organ donors can save human lives. (PDF) In: Hamburger Abendblatt. November 4, 1971, p. 9 , archived from the original on September 10, 2014 ; accessed on September 10, 2014 .
- ↑ Survey by the Forsa Institute In: Arzt & Wirtschaft Only an organ donation can save the lives of others! , 09/2007, p. 8
- ↑ Saarbrücker Zeitung November 22, 2007
- ↑ a b Representative IPSOS survey In: Apotheken-Umschau and BABY und Familie PDF ( Memento from February 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ taz.de May 21, 2009
- ↑ bild.de May 4, 2010
- ↑ Federal Ministry of Health starts new campaign for more donations , accessed on May 30, 2013.
- ^ [1] Swisstransplant website