Could becoming a donor affect the quality of treatment I receive? No. Efforts to save your life will not be lessened if you wish to be an organ donor.
When will donation occur? A patient’s family will be approached about organ donation only after physicians have exhausted all efforts to save his or her life and death has been declared. The medical team that treats patients is separate from the transplant team, and the patient has to be declared brain dead by physicians not affiliated with the transplant recovery team. Donations occur under strict operating room guidelines.
When is death declared? Death can occur in two ways: when the heart stops functioning and when the brain stops functioning. Brain death is the total, irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, which controls respiration. A person can be declared brain dead only when: 1) there is total absence of brain functions, as defined by clinical examination and laboratory tests and 2) there is no possibility of any clinical brain activity ever returning.
Who determines whether the organs are viable for donation? Once death is declared, the hospital notifies the organ procurement organization (OPO) in its service area. The OPO will perform an on-sight evaluation and determine the viability of organ donation. The OPO will not notify a transplant team of available organs until a family member gives consent to do so.
When are organs viable for donation? Organ donation can only occur if the organs of a brain dead person are kept viable through artificial support. Heartbeat, respiration and brain functions are totally interdependent; that is, no one of these three functions is possible without the other two. If circulation stops, the organs become damaged and unsuitable for transplantation. When a patient is pronounced dead because brain death is determined, it is both legal and ethical to provide mechanical support if the vital organs are to be donated for transplant. Organs must be removed as soon as possible after brain death is determined.
If death occurs because of a permanent heart stoppage, there is no further circulation of the blood to the vital organs and the organs cease to function. In such cases, a solid organ donation is not possible. However, certain tissue may be recovered for transplantation.
Will organ donation affect funeral arrangements? Donation does not alter or delay funeral arrangements. Furthermore, because donations do not disfigure the body, an open casket is still possible.
Who pays for organ donations? All hospital costs related to the organ recovery are paid for by the organ procurement organization. There is no cost to the family or the estate of the donor for the donation; however, regardless of whether organs are donated, the family or estate will be responsible for funeral costs and hospital expenses prior to the death.
