In Quebec, the criteria governing the allocation of organs are established objectively by organ-specific medical committees based on scientific data. They are then reviewed by Transplant Québec’s Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee based on a consensus reached by the medical community and transplant specialists. Lastly, these criteria are independently reviewed by Transplant Québec’s Ethics Committee before being adopted by the organization’s Board of Directors.
These objective criteria are founded on principles of fairness and efficiency. They are established according to blood and tissue compatibility and to the person's medical condition. Each organ is subject to specific criteria.
The criteria governing the allocation of organs are reviewed periodically in light of the latest scientific developments. The goal is to ensure that people requiring a transplant receive one as quickly as possible based on their medical condition and the availability of organs for transplantation. The members of the medical committees play an active role in the work conducted by national and international consensus-building forums and work with other Canadian provinces’ organ donation organizations as well as other similar organizations.
Allocation of kidneys
All kidney allocation criteria have been established jointly by a committee made up of nephrologists and transplant surgeons from all of Quebec’s kidney transplant centres.
The criteria take into account the best interests of everyone on the list.
As soon as the organ donation process begins, blood tests to determine donor-patient compatibility are carried out. This is because kidneys can only be allocated to those with an identical or compatible blood type. These people will also be assigned points or priority based on a variety of criteria.
The objective of these criteria is to ensure that the allocation is conducted in a fair and efficient way for each kidney available for transplant.