Hospital refers:

• patient who is brain dead
• cardiac function being maintained by machinery

ODCH staff:

• travel on-site for potential organ donors
• assess medical suitability for donation
• present option of donation to family
• assure that consent is obtained within legal guidelines
• coordinate medical management of donor
• allocate organs based on nationally developed criteria (UNOS)
• coordinate surgical recovery and transport of organs to transplant center(s)

ODCH also recovers musculoskeletal tissues (bones, tendons, ligaments) that may help prevent limb amputation or assist patients to stand and walk normally again. Defective heart valves can be replaced, offering the chance of an active life, especially for children. Corneas can restore sight to those who were blind.

Hospital refers:

• patient who is cardiac dead

ODCH staff:

• contact hospital for referral information
• assess medical suitability for donation
• present option of donation to family
• assure that consent is obtained within legal guidelines
• coordinate surgical recovery and transport of tissue