Deceased organ donation efficiency in Switzerland from 2014 to 2023 compared to other European countries according to the Donor Conversion Index (DCI) – an ecological study

Despite declining next-of-kin consent rates, Switzerland's organ donation programme is among the most efficient in Europe, according to the DCI. If consent matched that of other countries, efficiency could be even higher. The increase in the DCI from 2014 to 2023 suggests that measures to increase organ donation rates in Switzerland may have been effective. Swiss emergency and intensive care staff appear to appropriately identify, refer, and manage potential deceased organ donors. When comparing trends in organ donation figures between countries, it is important to consider differences in mortality due to eligible diseases associated with potentially devastating cerebral injury leading to brain death.