Updated September 2025

“Education is the most powerful tool that you can use to change the world.”
-Nelson Mandela

Education is the cornerstone of success in improving the outcomes of donation for transplantation. ISODP is committed to enabling sharing of knowledge amongst its membership by providing easy access to an array of learning opportunities in one place.

ISODP acknowledges the diversity of its membership, whether it be through country of origin and practice, local legislation, population demographics, cultural mores or technical advancement, and have provided international perspectives so that you can choose the area of interest in organ and tissue donation that suits your professional role.

Below you will find learning opportunities via links, videos and courses, categorised into the various steps of the donation process, graciously provided by many leading experts and organizations from around the world. The courses referred to in this INDEX are available to the entire international community in two main languages English and/or Spanish. Specific country courses using local official languages are not included in this INDEX.

The following information is presented to you in a variety of modalities, from training courses to learning opportunities available as guidelines, professional statements, relevant journal articles, videos and webinars from various countries and professional societies around the world.

Contact us with any comments or suggestions

ISODP Education Working Group would like to thank the organizations that freely provide their local eductional material and make it available to donation professionals around the world to improve professionalism in this sector.

DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. The content is a compilation of the work produced by experts from many countries, taking into account their own local legislative and medical criteria, and whilst the information provided may be aligned to best practice in those countries, it may not be suitable or appropriate for reproduction or training in other countries. It is merely an adjunct to the learnings of health professionals in the donation sector. Quality and accuracy of contents remains the responsibility of the authors of the educational activity and may not represent the views of ISODP.

Table of Contents

Organ Donor Assessment

Organ Donation: From Death to Life
NOTE: This is a sample video, it is original from the Organ Donation: From Death to Life Course from The University of Cape Town

Course Target Audience:
General public, medical undergraduates, health care professionals

Course Objective:
In this course you will learn about the science behind death determination and when it is possible for deceased organ donation to be considered. The lectures cover medical standards at the end of life - from brain death testing, to requesting informed consent from a grieving family. By improving knowledge of good ethical practices, cultural and religious considerations and the logistics of the organ donation process this course will empower the interactions and discussions between health professionals and the general public at an often confusing time.

Course Duration: 4 weeks (1 hour of video content / week)
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: organdonation@uct.ac.za

More information
Detailed characterisation of the potential organ and tissue donor is a fundamental step in the donation process. A methodical donor assessment, following a defined protocol which is suited to the local patient demographics, epidemiology and technical resources is aimed at increasing the safety and quality of organs for transplantation. It also allows identification of mitigating measures to decrease risks of harm to recipients due to donor-derived disease transmission.
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Diagnosis of Death by Neurological Criteria (DNDD)

The National Deceased Donation Course for Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Trainees
NOTE: This is a sample video, it is original from the ODT Clinical training Course from NHS Blood and Transplant.

Course Target Audience:
Health care professionals, donor coordinators, staff involved in deceased donation

Course Objective:
To develop knowledge and skills within and around:

  • Organ donation principles and practice,
  • Safely diagnosing death,
  • End of life & family donation discussions,
  • Withdrawal of life sustaining treatment in DCD

Course Duration: 2 days
Language: English
Category: Online/in-person
Contact email: Professional.DevelopmentODT@nhsbt.nhs.uk

More information
The diagnosis of death by neurological criteria is one of the key steps of the deceased donation process, any ICU healthcare professional should develop their knowledge and skills for an accurate and timely death diagnosis by neurological criteria.
United Kingdom

We welcome the publication of this updated Code which provides clear guidance on the clinical aspects of the diagnosis of death across the United Kingdom (UK) and in all settings including in the community, care homes, hospital wards and intensive care units.

The updated Code is a useful and important resource for all healthcare and wider professionals involved in the diagnosis and confirmation of death

CLICK HERE TO READ
Australia

This is the fourth edition of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Statement on death and organ donation. The Statement is intended to provide a relevant and accessible resource for intensive care specialists (intensivists) and other health professionals involved in the determination of death and in the care of potential organ and tissue donors and their families. It encourages consistency of approach in addressing clinical issues, caring for families, and engaging with other expert opinion in Australia and New Zealand.

CLICK HERE TO READ
Canada
VISIT THE CBS WEBPAGE
Canada
Brain Death Certification App -
This app from the MOHAN Foundation provides step by step guidance with demonstration videos for testing for Brain Stem Death and the certification process in India. Available as a free to download handy app for android and iOS devices.
DOWNLOAD THE APP (ANDROID)
DOWNLOAD THE APP (iOS)
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Organ Donation following Medical Assistance in Dying

Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from the Canadian Blood Service, Canada.

Course Target Audience:
Critical Care Medicine Trainees

Course Objective:
An organ donation curriculum for health professionals that enhances competencies in the identification and care of potential deceased donors and their families. The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is a free self-directed, interactive, online e-learning course featuring case scenarios across the entire deceased organ donation process including organ donation following medical assistance. It is mobile-friendly, designed for phones and tablets.

Course Duration: 19.5 hrs
Language: English
Category: Online/in-person
Contact email: otdt@blood.ca

More information
Organ Donation following Medical Assistance in Dying is a complex procedure involving many unique ethical and logistical considerations and multiple stakeholders: Donor hospitals, organ procurement organizations (OPO), potential donor and donor families, and end-of-life care staff. Training, and development of consensus and protocols will ensure ethical and compassionate end-of-life care as well as positive donation experience for all concerned.
Donation After Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
This curriculum has been developed by Canadian Blood Services in collaboration with Trillium Gift of Life Network, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and many generous volunteers from the Canadian Critical Care community.
VISIT THE CBS WEBPAGE
TTS EdComm-Ethics-ISODP Webinar - June 20, 2024
Organ Donation after Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
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Donor Management

Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) Advanced International Training Course
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Donation and Transplantation Institute – DTI Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.

Course Target Audience:
Health professionals involved in organ donation, donor/ transplant coordinators, managers in charge of transplant programs

Course Objective:

  • To conceptualize the objectives of the donation process
  • To increase health professionals knowledge and skills as well as to raise public awareness regarding the importance of organ donation
  • To promote the implementation at work of the knowledge and competences acquired in order to increase the process results
  • To boost best practice exchange and the development of international networks

Course Duration: 5 days (6, 7, 8, 9, 10 November 2023)
Language: English
Category: In-Person
Contact email: infodti@dtifoundation.com

More information
A systematic application of organ donor clinical management evidence-based goal-directed checklist aimed at the haemodynamic stabilisation of brain-dead donors may contribute to an increase in the number of organs for transplantation by improving the quality of organs and reducing the loss of potential donors due to cardiac arrest. In addition, (pre)treatment of the deceased donor or the separate donor organs provides an opportunity to improve graft function and graft survival.
Mobile Applications
DOWNLOAD THE APP (iOS)

Donor Management - Canada

Medical Management of Organ Donors following Determination of Death by Neurologic Criteria (DNC)

Course Target Audience:
Any healthcare provider who may interact with a patient and family during the donation process

Course Objective:
The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is an organ donation curriculum for health professionals that enhances competencies in the identification and care of potential deceased donors and their families. The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is a free self-directed, interactive, online e-learning course featuring case scenarios. It is mobile-friendly, designed for phones and tablets.

Course Duration: 5 modules (1 hour of video content / week)
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: otdt@blood.ca

More information
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Family Approach for Organ Donation - United States

Improving Authorization Rates Using the Dual Advocacy Model
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Gift of Life Institute Philadelphia, US.

Course Target Audience:
Donation professionals conducting family conversations for organ and tissue donation.

Course Objective:
To develop knowledge and skills within and around: Dual Advocacy framework and fundamentals, Leading effective family donation conversations (FDC), Utilizing transition statements for both designated and non-designated donors, Using story and inspirational information, Assuring that each family is able to make an informed, proactive, enduring donation decision.

Course Duration: 15 hrs
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: info@giftoflifeinstitute.org

More information
Consent rates for organ donation varies across the countries, cultures, and according to the type of donation DBD vs. DCD. Nevertheless, there is the agreement that training about how to break bad news and introduce the opportunity of organ donation to potential donor families play a key element for the success of the donation process.
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Family Approach for Organ Donation - Canada

More information
Journal Publications

Contact email: OTDT@blood.ca

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Family Approach for Organ Donation - India

Family Counselling and Conversations on Organ Donation
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from MOHAN Foundation, India.

Course Target Audience:
Healthcare professionals like ICU professionals, counsellors with relevant background, graduates in social work, psychology

Course Objective:
Aims to help the learners to understand the stages of grief. Through simulation videos it teaches the participants on how to undertake the difficult conversations with grieving families. The course equips them with communication skills to support the families in their decision on organ donation with sensitivity and empathy.

Course Duration: 16 to 20 hrs
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: elearning@mohanfoundation.org

More information
Family approach for organ donation conversation includes a methodology with several steps in it, the potential donor family must be fully informed about the dead of the love one as well as understood the concept of death by neurological criteria before to be approached for organ donation. Several types of approach about how to conduct a family interview for organ donation have been describe and should be study by any organ donor coordinator.
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Family Approach for Organ Donation - MOHAN Foundation - India

A NO is not always a NO
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Family Approach for Organ Donation - Australia

Family Donation Conversation – introducing the donation nurse and – “Family – I don’t think he would want to be a donor”
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Organ and Tissue Authority and DonateLife, Australia. This video is available for ISODP members only.

Video Target Audience:
Organ Donor Coordinators, donor family coordinators, and healthcare professionals involves in organ donation interviews

Video Duration: 2 minutes
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: NA

More information
Family refusals and its causes should be identify, learn techniques about how to revert family refusals.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO - ISODP Members Must be Logged In
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Family Approach for Organ Donation - United Kingdom

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Best Practice
Visit the NHS Best Practice Consent and Authorisation Webpage
Planning Meeting before the Donation Conversation - DEEMED Consent
Watch on YouTube
A Structured Approach
Watch on YouTube
Deemed consent in England: Approaching Families, A Clinical Guide
Talk by Dr Dale Gardiner (National Clinical Lead for Organ Donation).
Watch on YouTube
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Organ Retrieval and Preservation Techniques

Curso superior de instrumentación quirúrgica en procesos de procuración y trasplante.
(Surgical Instrumentation Protocol in Organ Implant Surgery)
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from CUCAIBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Course Target Audience:
Personal que realice tareas instrumentación quirúrgica en las diferentes áreas, unidades, laboratorios y bancos del CUCAIBA o relacionados.

Course Objective:
Gestión en salud y en programas de donación y trasplante. Salud, ética, derechos humanos a partir de la muerte encefálica. Comunicación en salud y en procesos de donación-trasplante. Procesos de donación-trasplante de órganos y tejidos - inmunología. Marco normativo e institucional para la actividad en general y respecto de cada actividad en particular.

Course Duration: 8 months / 162 hrs
Language: Spanish
Category: Online
Contact email: gestiondelconocimientocucaiba@gmail.com

More information
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Organ Packaging and Labelling of Organs in the Operating Theatre

Training, Packaging and Labelling Organs
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Organ and Tissue Authority and DonateLife, Australia. This video is available for ISODP members only.

Video Target Audience:
Organ Recovery Coordinators, and organ donor coordinators involved in organ recovery

Video Duration: 8 months/ 162 hrs
Language: English
Category: Online

More information
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO - ISODP Members Must be Logged In
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Organ Sharing and Allocation

Organ Donation: From Death to Life.
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Death to Life Course from The University of Cape Town/Coursera, South Africa.

Course Target Audience:
General public, medical undergraduates, health care professionals

Course Objective:
In this course you will learn about the science behind death determination and when it is possible for deceased organ donation take place. The lectures will cover medical standards at the end of life - from brain death testing, to requesting informed consent from a grieving family. By improving knowledge of good ethical practices, cultural and religious considerations and the logistics of the organ donation process this course will empower the interactions and discussions of medical professionals and the general public at an often confusing time.

Course Duration: 4 weeks (1 hour of video content / week)
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: organdonation@uct.ac.za

More information
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Donation after Circulatory Death - Europe

Organ Donation
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from ESOT Transplant Live, EU.

Course Target Audience:
Healthcare professionals interested in organ donation and transplant coordination

Course Objective:
'Organ Donation' aims to offer guidance for the preparation of the UEMS exam certification and provides participants with an overview on the current criteria for donor detection, donor evaluation, death certification and workflow authorization concerning organ procurement. The management of the donor and the organ screening, including the risk of transmissions (infections, malignancies etc.), the bio-vigilance-system and the quality assessment are covered to provide an up-to-date guide on how to obtain comprehensive information to offer to the potential graft recipient.

Course Duration: 7 modules/ 21 hrs
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: denise.desalvo@esot.org

More information
Click here to view video
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Donation after Circulatory Death - Spain

End of Life Care and Deceased Donation
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from University Hospital Vall d´Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.

Course Target Audience:
Health care professionals, (doctors, nurses and technical personnel) working in critical care settings (ICUs, emergency departments, anesthesia) as well as those who are directly or indirectly involved in the care of potential donors (neurologists, surgeons etc.)

Course Objective:
Training in concepts about end-of-life care, the donation process after brain death (DBD) and after death by cardiocirculatory criteria (DCD) to health care professionals directly o indirectly related with the care of the critical patient and potential donors. Two more modules are available about Donation after neurological death (DBD) / End of life care (EOL).

Course Duration:
Each module 4 weeks (20 h) • Course scalable from 1, 2, or 3 modules
Language: English and Spanish
Category: Online
Contact email: alberto.sandiumenge@vallhebron.cat

More information
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Donation after Circulatory Death - United Kingdom

Donation Action Framework

The British transplantation society guidelines on organ donation from deceased donors after circulatory death
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955470X23000459

British Transplantation Society. UK Guidelines on Transplantation from Deceased Donors After Circulatory Death
bts.org.uk/transplantation-from-deceased-donors-after-circulatory-death

CLICK HERE TO READ
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Donation after Circulatory Death - Australia

Best Practice Guideline for Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death (DCDD) in Australia
CLICK HERE TO READ
Mobile Applications
DOWNLOAD THE APP (iOS)
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Organization of an Organ Donation Coordination Office

Curso superior de coordinación hospitalaria en procesos de procuración y trasplante
(Higher Course in Hospital Coordination in Procurement and Transplant Processes)
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from CUCAIBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Course Target Audience:
Profesionales de medicina y enfermería con especialización en cuidados intensivos, que realicen tareas de coordinación hospitalaria en unidades de trasplante del CUCAIBA y personal sanitario en general.

Course Objective:
Gestión en salud y en programas de donación y trasplante. Salud, ética, derechos humanos a partir de la muerte encefálica. Comunicación en salud y en procesos de donación-trasplante. Procesos de donación-trasplante de órganos y tejidos - inmunología. Marco normativo e institucional para la actividad en general y respecto de cada actividad en particular.

Course Duration: 8 months / 162 hrs
Language: Spanish
Category: Online
Contact email: gestiondelconocimientocucaiba@gmail.com

More information
More information
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Organizational Models

The Commonwealth Tribute to Life Webinar Series
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from NHS Blood and Transplant, UK.

Course Target Audience:
Healthcare Professionals involved in deceased organ donation and transplantation

Webinar Objective:
The webinars are led by experts from all corners of the Commonwealth and provide a platform for learning and the development of organ donation and transplantation programmes. Several subjects are approaching in these webinars such us: Changing donation culture, Death determination, Donor coordinator role of donation Nurses, Opt-out legislation, Donation Physicians and Clinical Leads, Starting a sustainable transplantation program, etc.

Webinar Duration: Self-study
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: N/A

More information


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Eye and Tissue Donation

International Master in Donation and Transplantation of Organs, Tissues and Cells
NOTE: This is a sample video, in its original version from Donation and Transplantation Institute – DTI Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.

Course Target Audience:
Healthcare professionals, or other science related professionals, working or willing to work in the development of coordination and organization programs in national or local areas, in organ, tissue and cell donation and transplantation.

Course Objective:
Bring together the knowledge, skills, and best practices which benefits healthcare professionals working as donor-transplant coordinators, tissue bankers and advanced cell therapies researchers by developing and updated educational program and issuing the Master University degree. This Master program includes modules in organ procurement, organ transplantation, tissue banking, quality and leadership in organ donation.

Course Duration: 10 months
Language: English
Category: Online
Contact email: dyt@ub.edu

More information
Eye Donation & Corneal Transplantation Webinar – MOHAN Foundation
VIEW VIDEO ON MOHAN.ORG
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School Level Education – Primary School

Orgamites Mighty Education Programme

Course Target Audience:
School teachers, primary school children aged 5–11, parents and caregivers.

Course Objective:
The Orgamites Mighty Education Programme aims to teach children about their organs, promote healthy lifestyle habits, and raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Using fun, animated characters representing the organs most able to be donated, the course encourages kindness, empathy, and personal responsibility for health. It also opens the door to age-appropriate conversations about the potential we all have to save lives through organ donation.

Course Duration: Flexible and adaptable. The program includes downloadable toolkits and activities that can be used as one-off lessons or as sequence of lessons.
Language: English
Category: Toolkits for download and use in the classroom and in-person use
Contact email: Info@orgamites.com

More information
View Videos
The Orgamites are animations of our most donated and transplanted organs and tissues. They star in and teach children through three toolkits. Mighty Me gives age-appropriate info and awe-inspiring facts about the organs inside all of us. Mighty Habits empower kids to better appreciate their organs and take good care of them. Mighty Kind highlights the power we have to look out for others and take better care of the planet.
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Donor Derived Infections and Disease

Although it is impossinle to completely remove the risk of disease transmission in solid organ transplantation, it is vitally important that health care professionals have the tools and knowledge of how to minimise risk. This topic can be explored by viewing the following sections.
TOOLS

What is my risk? - Residual risk calculator for increased viral risk organ donors

Source: DonateLife Victoria, the University of Melbourne, and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

NOTIFY Library

Source: Centro Nazionale Trapianti (CNT)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

NOTIFY Booklet

Source: Notify Project - Last updated 2018
13.1 Infection transmission thorugh organ, tissue and cell transplantation

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Aide Memoire

Source: Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) and NHS Blood and Transplant - Last updated June 2022

This quick reference must be read in conjunction with the SaBTO guidance for the safety of organs for transplantation. This tool does not replace existing guidance but serves as a rapid reference for clinicians faced with difficult decisions in a time limited situation.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

GUIDANCE DOCS

Donor-derived infections: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practic

Source: American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice - 2019

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Screening of donor and candidate prior to solid organ transplantation-Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice

Source: American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice - 2019

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Consensus Document of the Transplant Infection Study Group (GESITRA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and the National Transplant Organization (ONT) on the Selection Criteria of Donors of Solid Organs in relation to Infectious Diseases

Source: Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and the National Transplant Organization (ONT) - 2020

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation

Source: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)
Chapter 10: Infections

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Clinical Guidelines for Organ Transplantation from Deceased Donors

Source: The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) - v1.11 2023

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

SaBTO microbiological safety guidelines

Source: Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) - Last updated May 2024

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Guide to the quality and safety of organs for transplantation, 9th Edition

Source: European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare (EDQM) - 2025
Chapter 6: General donor characterisation, assessment and selection criteria
Chapter 8: Risk of transmission of infectious diseases

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Safety of Human Cells, Tissues and Organs for Transplantation Regulations

Source: Health Canada - Last updated 2025

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

PUBLICATIONS

Non-Standard Risk Donors and Risk of Donor-Derived Infections: From Evaluation to Therapeutic Management

Source: Transplant International - 2024

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Donor-derived Viral Infections in Liver Transplantation

Source: Transplantation - 2018

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Approach to suspected donor-derived infections

Source: Frontiers in Pediatrics - 2023

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Infectious Disease Transmission in Solid Organ Transplantation: Donor Evaluation, Recipient Risk, and Outcomes of Transmission

Source: Transplantation Direct - 2019

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Prevention, diagnosis, and management of donor derived infections in pediatric kidney transplant recipients

Source: Frontiers in Pediatrics - 2023

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Donor-derived infections—Insights from Singapore, Japan, and Thailand

Source: Transplant Infectious Diseases - 2024

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Donor‐Derived Infections; special issueion

Source: Transplant Infectious Diseases - 2024

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

VIDEOS

Optimizing the use of organs from increased infectious risk donors

Sponsored by: Canadian Donation and Transplant Research Program - 2014 - open access

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Bilateral lung transplantation from a donor previoulsy infected with SARS-CoV-2

Sponsored by: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine - March 2021 - public domain

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Donor-Derived Infections and the Promise of Organ Donation

Sponsored by: Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance - June 2021 - public domain (You Tube)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Risk of transmission of infections from donor to recipient and approach to multidrug-resistant infections

Sponsored by: European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) - November 2023 - requires registration

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Transplant Donor Derived Infections: Theory to Practice

Sponsored by: International Immunocpmpromised Host Society - December 2025 - need to be memebr of ICHS, or from low income country or pay U$25

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

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