The Changes with the New Legislations

Abstract

Organ transplantation is the most important option for the treatment of end-stage diseases. However, there is a large difference between the number of patients on the waiting list and the number of transplants performed. The gradual increase in this difference creates ethical problems related to organ transplantation. Ethical problems and other limitations require organ transplantation to be controlled by legal regulations. In our country, organ transplantation practice is carried out under the supervision of the state. Organ Transplant Practice Regulation has been updated by being published in the Official Gazette dated 09.12.2022 and numbered 32008. Possible end-of-life decisions in brain death are stated in accordance with the conditions of our country. “In cases where brain death is diagnosed, the organ preservation protocols applied are terminated in the absence of family or legal guardian approval regarding organ donation. In case of organ donation by the family or legal guardian, the organ preservation protocols needed for donor care are continued during the period until the transplantation of the organ to the waiting patient”, and a solution has been presented to the intensive care physicians for the prognosis of the cases that donated or could not be donated.In the regulation in which the prerequisites of the brain death diagnostic criteria are specified, it is stated that the central body temperature should be ≥36 °C. With the new regulation, end-of-life decisions on brain death and changes made in relation to central body temperature have brought convenience in the diagnosis and follow- up process.

Keywords

• brain death
• diagnosis
• legislation