Tissue donation can take place after cardiac death or after organ procurement takes place.
1. Patient Death
2. Notification
3. Medical Record Review
4. Approach
5. Surgical Recovery
6. Aftercare
1. Patient Death
Hospital calls or submits an iReferral to Lifeline of Ohio within 60 minutes of cardiac time of death. This includes prior notifications for vented patients who were not medically suitable for organ donation.
2. Notification
- Lifeline of Ohio staff completes first screening. Note: If no EMR access, additional questions will be asked.
- Patient is held in the morgue or prearranged facility until released by Lifeline of Ohio.
- Coroner and/or funeral home outreach is made, if necessary.
3. Medical Record Review
- Lifeline of Ohio staff reviews EMS records, if accessible.
- Lifeline of Ohio staff pre-screens with processor, depending on patient’s medical history.
- If appropriate, Lifeline of Ohio staff releases hold on patient.
4. Approach
- If patient is determined to be a suitable donor, Lifeline of Ohio staff updates the hospital and checks on the patient’s family.
- Lifeline of Ohio collaborates with hospital staff to determine the best time and location to approach the family.
- Lifeline of Ohio staff completes screening and paperwork;
Tissue donors may be transported to Lifeline of Ohio recovery facility for procurement or tissue procurement may occur at donor hospital of which Lifeline of Ohio would collaborate with hospital staff to schedule an OR. NOTE: Eye-only procurement will occur onsite at donor hospital.
5. Surgical Recovery
- On-site at hospital: Lifeline of Ohio releases the patient to the hospital and hospital staff work with funeral home. Note: lasting legacy is left with the patient.
- At the Lifeline of Ohio recovery site: Lifeline of Ohio coordinates with funeral homes, and Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance (NORA) provide lasting legacy to funeral home.
6. Aftercare
Lifeline of Ohio provides aftercare to donor families and recipients. (More information here)