BRAIN DEATH AND DONATION

​Brain Death and Donation
presented by
Dr. Ron Squires
LifeShare Medical Director

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​HOW HOSPITAL STAFF PLAYS A ROLE IN BRAIN DEATH

Staff responsibilities vary depending on hospital protocols, the individuals involved and the needs of the family. Here are some general guidelines:

​​PHYSICIAN
•  Manages patient care
•  Works to preserve life until brain death testing results have been completed
•  Physician declares patient’s brain death 
•  Serves as an advocate for the family and ensures families are offered the option
   of donation by LifeShare
•  Physician continues clinical management to preserve organ viability in collaboration
​   with LifeShare 

​NURSE
•  Provides ongoing care to families throughout the patient’s hospitalization
•  Makes the referral call to LifeShare about the potential donor
•  Coordinates the clinical management of the patient and support for the family
   in collaboration with LifeShare

​PASTORAL CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES
•  Meets spiritual, religious and other needs of the patient and family
•  Serves as family advocate in collaboration with medical and nursing staff

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​HOW THE BRAIN DEATH PROCESS WORKS

The needs and wishes of the patient’s family are always kept in focus by the medical team, by the LifeShare staff members and by social workers and clergy. The donation decision is made in the midst of enormous personal loss. Sensitivity, the willingness to listen and the ability to explain procedures in common terms can make organ donation an easier decision for families to make. It is a compassionate team effort.

Step One
​Trying to Save a Life
At some point, a person is admitted to a hospital because of an illness or accident. Healthcare professionals work hard doing everything possible to save the patient’s life while maintaining the patient on artificial support. 

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Step Two
Testing for Brain Death
When the medical team has exhausted all possible lifesaving efforts and the patient is not responding, a physician will perform a series of tests, usually on multiple occasions, to determine if brain death has occurred. Patients who are brain dead have no brain activity and cannot breathe on their own. Brain death is death and is irreversible.

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Step Three
Authorization
After the family has learned about their loved ones wishes or has agreed for them to be a donor, the next-of-kin completes the authorization form. LifeShare obtains written consent for:
- Administration of medications to improve organ function

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Step Four
Maintaining the Donor
Meanwhile at the hospital, the donor is maintained on artificial support and the condition of each organ is carefully monitored by LifeShare.

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Step Five
Recovery of Organs
LifeShare arranges the arrival and departure times of the transplant surgical teams. After the surgical team arrives, the donor is taken to the operating room where organs and tissues are recovered in the same sterile and careful way as in any surgery. 

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Step Six
​Saving More Lives
Organs are recovered to ultimately give life to patients in need. Through organ donation by brain death, as many as eight lives can be saved with one patient’s gift.

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