Organ Donation Process

Donor Identification

1. The physician pronounces brain death after evaluation, testing, and documentation of patient's condition. Each state has its own criteria for determining brain death.
2. Hospital staff refers the potential donor to the Organ Procurement Organization for the initial evaluation.
3. The OPO will then perform chart evaluation and key information gathering. This includes a thorough examination of the patient's past medical and current condition. The social history will be assessed after the family has expressed interest in the potential donation.

Obtaining Consent
After the OPO determines a patient meets criteria for donation, the consent process proceeds as follows:

1. Death is explained to the family. The physician or nursing staff usually informs the family of the death initially. The OPO staff ensures that the family understands the brain death situation. (The potential donor must be maintained on a ventilator so the family may believe the patient is still alive, even though brain death has been determined)
2. The options for donation are carefully explained to the family. At this point all potential donations are discussed (Tissue, Eye, Skin, etc) so the family is not approached multiple times for each donation option.)
3. If informed consent is obtained from the legal next of kin or legal power of attorney, consent forms are read, signed, and witnessed.
4. A thorough questionnaire regarding the potential donor's medical and social history is presented to the family.
5. Consent is obtained from the Medical Examiner/Coroner in the event that a donation may hinder a death investigation.

Evaluation and Maintenance of Potential Donor
After the proper consent process is complete and the patient is considered a donor, the evaluation and maintenance process proceeds as follows:

1. Tests are performed to determine blood type (ABO) and DNA (HLA Typing).
2. Tests are performed to rule out any transmissible diseases.
3. Transplantable organs are evaluated for suitability and stability.
4. Hemodynamic (Circulation of oxygen-rich blood) functions are stabilized.
5. Organ recipients are identified.
6. Transplant teams are mobilized. In organ donation, the surgery team responsible for the transplant is the team mobilized for the recovery. The OPO does not perform the organ recovery.

next page: Organ Donation Recovery