New ICU pathway could add about 80 organ donors annually in Sweden
Introducing ICOD, a process that moves patients to intensive care for organ donation, may raise the yearly donor count by roughly 80.
Sweden is testing a new protocol called ICOD, which shifts patients who are not yet in intensive care to an ICU setting to assess organ donation potential. Advocates argue that this could generate around 80 additional donors per year, representing a 20-30 percent boost. The method follows earlier reforms that introduced donation after circulatory death and permitted organ-preserving treatment outside intensive units.
Experience from Spain, where many donors are identified outside ICOD, informs the Swedish rollout. Obstacles cited include limited ICU capacity and the need to educate non-ICU staff on donation procedures. Nonetheless, officials stress that lifesaving treatment remains the priority, with donation discussions only after a patient is deemed unsalvageable.
Why it matters
Increasing organ donors can save more lives and reduce transplant waiting times.
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