The Bad Berka Central Clinic received recognition in Dresden for its exceptional dedication to organ donation, making it the sole hospital in Thuringia to be honored.
Dr. Jan Köditz, the transplant officer at the Central Clinic, accepted the award alongside nursing staff, medical director Dr. Ulrich Paul Hinkel, and managing director Mario Schulter in the Elbe city.
“The goal of our hospital staff is to fulfill the wishes of deceased individuals regarding organ donation,” stated the Thuringian Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Women, and Family. Health Minister Heike Werner emphasized the importance of citizens informing themselves about organ donation, making a decision while alive, documenting it, and discussing it with loved ones.
The award recognizes the dedication of doctors and nurses in the challenging process of organ donation, both medically and emotionally. Dr. Köditz highlighted the comprehensive support provided to donors’ families and the importance of their involvement throughout the process.
Transplant coordinators play a crucial role in facilitating organ donation, serving as primary contacts during coordination.
During the treatment of critically ill patients, medical teams must identify brain death accurately, a prerequisite for organ donation. For patients without documented wishes, doctors consult with relatives to determine consent for donation based on the patient’s values and prior discussions.
The German Organ Donation Foundation (DSO) facilitates the coordination of the donation process.
While the positive outcomes of organ donation are often unknown to donors’ hospitals, the recognition of their efforts is appreciated. Despite the somber nature of transplant medicine, the acknowledgment of their work is meaningful.
With around 10,000 individuals in Germany awaiting transplants, every donor’s contribution holds the potential to save lives and offer hope to those in need.
