Numerous thousands opt to enroll digitally for organ donation.
Over the past five months, individuals in Germany have had the opportunity to sign up online as organ donors. The online registration process was initially facilitated through the eID function on personal ID cards. With the introduction of the electronic patient record next year, the registration process is expected to become more straightforward.
As of this week, approximately 147,822 individuals had signed up, as reported by the "Rheinische Post". In most cases, people have shown a willingness towards organ donation; however, only 5.6% of registrants have declared an objection, according to a spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of Health.
The online registry went live in mid-March, with around 98,000 registrations in the first month. Since then, an additional 50,000 registrations have been added. Individuals can register at organspende-register.de by using their ID document with the eID function, and they can indicate whether they wish to donate organs posthumously or not. As of July 1st, hospitals have had access to these registration data for organ removal purposes.
In the future, it should also be possible to register using the Health ID on the portal. This digital identity will be set up by health insurers for their policyholders. The ministry spokesperson mentioned that this option will be available to the public by the health insurers soon.
The digital identification procedures are anticipated to generate more users in the online registry in the future, according to the spokesperson. Additionally, the introduction of the opt-out solution with the electronic patient record in January 2025 will also be significant. At the same time, traditional methods of registration (e.g., in writing or verbally) will continue to be available to preserve the decision-making sovereignty of citizens in the sensitive area of organ and tissue donation.
Electronic Patient Record from January
Starting in January, all insured individuals in Germany will have an electronic patient record (ePA) - unless the insured person explicitly objects to it. Via the ePA applications, insured individuals will also be able to register in the organ donation registry.
Organ donation in Germany only occurs when someone has explicitly authorized it before their death (e.g., with an organ donor card) or if their next of kin consent. Due to a shortage of donor organs, the transition to the so-called opt-out solution is frequently debated. In this scenario, all individuals would be considered organ donors unless they document their objection. The Bundesrat passed a bill to introduce the opt-out solution at the beginning of July, although the exact timeline in the Bundestag remains uncertain. A cross-faction group of Members of Parliament also supports the opt-out solution. In 2020, a similar model failed in the Bundestag.
In relation to the upcoming electronic patient record, health insurers will provide a Health ID for their policyholders, enabling easier registration in the organ donation registry. With the opt-out solution to be introduced in the electronic patient record in January 2025, all individuals will be considered organ donors unless they explicitly declare objection.
