QUESTIONS ABOUT DCD
Organ donation can raise a variety of questions. All major religions support organ donation and view it as an act of charity. Research has shown that Donation After Circulatory Death raises some specific concerns, such as:
Will the family be with their loved one at the end of life?
The family is allowed as much time as possible to bid a final farewell to their loved one. Most families are comfortable with separation from their loved one because they know death will result in a renewed life for transplant recipients. On a case-by-case basis, those families who wish to be in the operating room or ICU at the end of life may do so.
When organs are removed, is the patient really dead?
Organs are never recovered from a patient until he or she is declared dead by a physician. With DCD, the patient is declared dead by circulatory death criteria (absence of spontaneous respiration and monitored arterial pulse) prior to the start of the recovery procedure.
Does the patient suffer pain during organ recovery?
After a patient dies, he or she no longer feels pain. Organ recovery occurs only after a patient is declared dead.
Are medical professionals hastening the death of the patient?
Patients considered for DCD have suffered an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury. Family members – in consultation with the patient’s physician – decide whether support should be withdrawn. The decision to withdraw support and the decision to donate organs are independent of one another.
Will the family be with their loved one at the end of life?
The family is allowed as much time as possible to bid a final farewell to their loved one. Most families are comfortable with separation from their loved one because they know death will result in a renewed life for transplant recipients. On a case-by-case basis, those families who wish to be in the operating room or ICU at the end of life may do so.
When organs are removed, is the patient really dead?
Organs are never recovered from a patient until he or she is declared dead by a physician. With DCD, the patient is declared dead by circulatory death criteria (absence of spontaneous respiration and monitored arterial pulse) prior to the start of the recovery procedure.
Does the patient suffer pain during organ recovery?
After a patient dies, he or she no longer feels pain. Organ recovery occurs only after a patient is declared dead.
Are medical professionals hastening the death of the patient?
Patients considered for DCD have suffered an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury. Family members – in consultation with the patient’s physician – decide whether support should be withdrawn. The decision to withdraw support and the decision to donate organs are independent of one another.
Is there a conflict of interest for LifeShare?
LifeShare is contacted when death is imminent or after the determination to withdraw support has been made by the family and physician. The role of LifeShare is to educate hospital staff, ensure every family is offered the option of donation and honor the wishes of patients and their families. LifeShare does not approach families until the appropriate time and until a huddle with the medical staff has taken place.
LifeShare is contacted when death is imminent or after the determination to withdraw support has been made by the family and physician. The role of LifeShare is to educate hospital staff, ensure every family is offered the option of donation and honor the wishes of patients and their families. LifeShare does not approach families until the appropriate time and until a huddle with the medical staff has taken place.
All organ procurement organizations (OPOs) should explore the option of non-heart-beating organ transplantation, in cooperation with local hospitals, health care professionals and communities.
— Institute of Medicine (IOM), Non-Heart-Beating Organ Transplantation, 2000
