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ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

The donation of organs and tissues from the deceased is urgently needed for transplantation for the benefit of the living. All hospitals are required by federal law to ensure that every family of a potential organ or tissue donor is given the opportunity to donate organs and tissues for transplantation. Partners hospitals actively participate in the organ and tissue donation programs of the New England Organ Bank and the New England Eye and Tissue Transplant Bank. Compliance is important to the Partners institutions; administrative policies concerning donation can be found in each hospital’s policy manual.

An initial call should be made to the New England Organ Bank’s 24-hour number (1-800-446-6362) before discussion with the family about organ donation. Per federal regulations, family members should be made aware of their opportunity for donation by a trained requestor from the New England Organ Bank. All discussions by BWH and NEOB staff should be handled in the most sensitive manner. Referring a patient as early as possible allows the NEOB coordinator to review the medical record, make a decision regarding the medical suitability for organ or tissue donation, and provide maximum support to the hospital staff throughout the process.

A clinical donation coordinator from the New England Organ Bank will initially evaluate the potential donor over the phone, then respond on site, giving guidance for the family discussion and providing the family with information about donation. If the family decides their loved one is to be a donor, the coordinator will obtain formal written consent. It is important that the conversation about donation be documented in the medical record.

Organ Donation
The following organs may be donated:

• kidneys
• liver
• heart
• pancreas
• lungs
• small bowel

Organ donation requires maintenance of cardiovascular function for organ perfusion. Any patient with severe, non-survivable neurologic injury who may progress to brain death, or who may be withdrawn from life support, should be referred to the New England Organ Bank, 1-800-446-6362, in a timely manner. No patient who meets these criteria should be ruled-out by anyone but New England Organ Bank personnel (per federal regulations).

Note: Refer to the brain death policies of the MGH or BWH. If a patient will not progress to brain death, or if the family elects to withdraw support prior to progression to brain death, refer to the MGH Non-Heartbeating Donation Policy or the BWH Asystolic Organ Donation Policy. (Any questions about donor eligibility can be directed to the Organ Bank.)

Tissue Donation
The following tissues may be donated:

• ·bone
• ·skin
• ·eyes
• ·saphenous vein
• ·heart valves
• ·cornea

Tissue donation does not require maintenance of cardiovascular function. All patients who die in the hospital (brain death or asystole) are potential tissue donors. Note: Per Federal Regulation, the Admitting departments at BWH and MGH report all deaths to the New England Organ Bank.