Blood and organ donations save lives and improve healthcare in Germany and Austria. Both countries have well-organized systems for blood and organ donations. In this article, you can find out more about the processes, regulations and relevant facts and figures.
Blood donation in Germany and Austria
Blood donations in Germany and Austria are voluntary. There is no fixed payment for a donation, but small gifts or food boxes are often offered. Both countries have strict guidelines to ensure the safety of donors and the quality of the blood. Donors must be at least 18 years old; in Austria, the age limit is 70. The minimum weight is 50 kg. Special exclusion criteria, such as diabetes or the use of certain medications, prevent health risks for donors and recipients.
Blood can be donated at mobile and stationary donor centers as well as at special blood donation campaigns. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and eat lightly the day before. You should refrain from exercise before and after the donation. The donation itself takes about ten minutes, although you should allow more time overall. The donated blood is used in hospitals to treat patients in emergencies or during operations. Both countries need more blood than is donated, so it is important to donate regularly.
Types of blood donations
There are different types of blood donations, depending on which component of the blood is to be donated. There are differences in the collection procedure, the duration and use as well as the prescribed intervals between donations. If only a certain part of the blood is donated, the collection usually takes longer due to the separation process, but the time interval between donations is shorter.
Whole blood donation
Approximately 500 ml of blood is taken, which contains all the main components such as red blood cells, plasma, platelets and white blood cells. This donation is often used in emergencies and during operations.
Plasma donation
Here the plasma, the liquid part of the blood, is removed while the solid components are returned. Plasma donations take around 45 minutes and can be repeated more frequently.
Erythrocyte donation (red blood cell donation)
This donation focuses on the red blood cells that transport oxygen. It is particularly important for patients with anemia or severe injuries.
Platelet donation
Platelets are important for blood clotting. This donation takes longer and is particularly important for patients with blood clotting disorders or cancer patients.
Organ donation
Organ donation can not only save lives, but also significantly improve the quality of life of seriously ill people. The kidney in particular is the most frequently needed organ, as many people suffer from kidney failure and are dependent on a transplant to prolong their lives and stabilize their health. Interestingly, kidneys can also be donated by living donors. This is possible because the human body can function fully with just one functioning kidney as long as it is healthy.
Other vital organs, such as the heart, liver, lungs and pancreas, are donated post-mortem. This means that these organs are removed after death to help people suffering from serious illnesses for which a transplant offers the only chance of recovery. The organs are removed after the death of the donor under strict medical and ethical guidelines.
Waiting lists are kept in order to distribute the available organs fairly. These lists are based on various criteria such as medical urgency, tissue compatibility and the patient’s general state of health. Urgency plays a decisive role in the allocation of organs: patients with the most serious illness or the shortest survival time on the list often have priority. In addition, the tissue and blood groups of the donor and recipient are checked to minimize the risk of rejection and increase the chances of a successful transplant.
The waiting lists and the distribution of organs are complex processes that require close cooperation between medical professionals, transplant centers and national or regional organ distribution networks. These processes ensure that organs are distributed fairly and efficiently to those most in need.
In summary, organ donation is a life-saving act that makes it possible to give seriously ill people a second chance at a healthy life. The efficient distribution and allocation of organs is crucial in order to maximize the use of donated organs and improve the lives of recipients.
Unfounded concern:
Faster death due to organ donation
Some people fear that they will be declared dead more quickly so that organs can be removed. However, this is a misunderstanding. Before donating organs, doctors must confirm irreversible loss of brain function, and this is done according to strict guidelines
Organ donation in Germany
In Germany, there are around 10 organ donors for every million inhabitants, whereby significantly more organs are needed (approx. 8,500) than are available (approx. 900). In Germany, the average waiting time for a kidney is around eight years, which is significantly longer than in other European countries. The Transplantation Act regulates the removal and transplantation of organs, the consent of the donor and the protection of the donor’s rights. According to this law, the so-called “decision solution” applies. This means that organs may only be removed if the deceased person has given their expressed consent to organ donation during their lifetime, which is recorded in an organ donor card, for example. If there is no explicit consent, the relatives can make a decision.
However, the decision solution has a crucial catch: according to a representative study of the Federal Center for Health Education (2022), 73% of people agree to organ removal after their death. However, only 44% have documented their decision, meaning that many potential donors are simply not identified as such. The low willingness to donate in Germany is therefore largely due to the regulations, as residents have to actively engage with the topic and make a decision, which only a few do. If no decision is made and/or documented during their lifetime, relatives are confronted with this difficult decision in the event of death and are often overwhelmed by the responsibility.
Organ donation in Austria
The so-called objection solution is the most widespread regulation in Europe and also applies in Austria, meaning that every person is considered a potential donor unless they have expressly objected to organ removal during their lifetime. This decision can be recorded on an organ donor card or in the official objection register. Statistics show that this solution works and saves many lives.
In Austria, around 700 people were on the waiting list for an organ at the beginning of 2023, while there were around the same number of transplants from deceased donors in the previous year – a presentable rate. There are 25 organ donors per million inhabitants. This puts Austria in second place in Europe in terms of willingness to donate, behind Spain with 46 donors per million inhabitants. The waiting time of the most sought-after organ, the kidney, is an average of three years in this country. The population’s high willingness to donate and the clear regulations on organ donation help to ensure that people who are dependent on a donation have a better chance of recovery and survival.
The decision to save lives
Donating blood and organs is an act of charity and solidarity. A single donor can save or improve the lives of several people. As the comparison between Germany and Austria shows, the regulations on organ donation have a significant influence on the actual willingness to donate and determine the life or death of many people. If you are healthy and meet the requirements, you should consider donating blood and documenting your willingness to donate organs in order to give other people hope for a second life and to relieve the burden on your loved ones in the event of your death.
