Tissue Donation Process

Donor Identification
Hospital staff or Medical Examiner/Coroner refers a death to the local contracted tissue center.

1. Tissue Center staff will evaluate if a potential donation can be considered. This is determined by evaluating the preliminary cause of death and by reviewing the chart for the medical history and current condition of the patient.
2. Legal next-of-kin will be identified.

Obtaining Consent
After determination of legal next-of-kin, the consent process proceeds as follows:

1. 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.
2. If informed consent is obtained from the legal next of kin or legal power of attorney, consent forms are read, signed, and witnessed.
3. A thorough questionnaire regarding the potential donor's medical and social history is presented to the family.
4. The family is given ample opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.
5. Consent is obtained from the Medical Examiner/Coroner in the event that a donation may hinder a death investigation.  

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

1. Blood is drawn (if not obtained from the hospital laboratory) for tests to rule out any transmissible diseases.
2. The patient's medical chart is thoroughly evaluated.
3. An operating room is obtained and the tissue recovery team is mobilized.

next page: Tissue Recovery, Processing, and Distribution