Deceased organ donor numbers have fallen in South Australia

THE number of deceased organ donors in SA has fallen, the 2017 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report shows, triggering a call for families to discuss the issue.

FAMILIES are being urged to have a conversation about organ donation after a drop in the deceased donation rate in South Australia, contributing to fewer transplants.

The 2017 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report shows 32 South Australians became deceased organ donors last year, down from 40 the year before.

South Australia’s donation rate is 18.6 donors per million population, compared with the national average of 20.7.

DonateLife SA State Medical Director Dr Stewart Moodie said the decrease highlighted the need for more South Australians to consider how organ donation affected families of the deceased and recipients of donated organs.

“While the lifesaving outcomes to organ recipients are well recognised, the ability to provide such a gift is something that all donor families should hold with immense pride,” Dr Moodie said.

“We encourage all South Australians to discuss organ donation with their families.

“To increase donation outcomes we need to raise consent rates.

“This can be achieved by more South Australians registering and discussing their donation decision with loved ones and by ensuring donation is always raised by a trained donation specialist doctor or nurse.”

Donations have increased substantially since a national program began in 2009.

Since then, 10,096 transplant recipients have had lives saved and quality of life improved thanks to the generosity of 3464 deceased organ donors and their families.

The number of deceased organ donors annually has more than doubled with a record 510 donors in 2017 transforming the lives of 1492 recipients and their families.

This compares to 247 donors and 799 recipients in 2009.

However, the number of recipients was down on 2016 when there were 1447.

Medical suitability, interstate surgical team availability and fewer families agreeing to donation than in previous years affected donor rates.

In SA 68 per cent of adults are on the Australian Organ Donor Register, by far the highest rate in Australia.

Less than 2 per cent of people in Australia who die in hospital can become an organ donor. Last year of the estimated 76,817 deaths approximately 1192 potential donors were identified, requests were made to families in 1093 cases, with 642 families consenting, but medical reasons prevented 132 cases and eventually 510 cases proceeded to donation.