The process begins with the decision to say “yes” to life-saving donation. You can make that decision now by registering to become an organ and tissue donor.

When hospital professionals have exhausted all treatment options and make the final determination that a patient with a severe brain injury has no chance for recovery, they are skilled in recognizing there may be a possibility for organ donation. This most often occurs when a series of test take place to determine the patient meets brain death criteria and can also occur when a family decides to withdraw treatment.

All hospitals are required to contact concerned medical authority or BODI with any death of a patient. They evaluate the patient’s chart, medical history and other criteria, and consult with the medical team, to determine if the patient can be a donor.

If the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death indicate they may be able to be a donor, a transplant coordinator meets with family. The coordinator offers support to the patient’s family or next of kin and engages the family in a donation conversation that provides them with full information on the life-transforming nature of the donation decision and answers any questions the family may have about any aspect of this process.

In cases where the patient is a registered donor, the coordinator counsels the family on the process of organ recovery. If a patient has not previously given authorization for donation, the patient’s next-of-kin must authorize to the donation. Once the family authorizes donation, the coordinator begins to coordinate the donation process.

After the authorization to donate is received, the coordinator reviews the patient’s medical history for information important to determining which organs and tissues are suitable for transplant.

A hospital team maintains the patient to ensure the organs stay healthy for transplant.

The coordinating body begins the process of matching the potential donor with a candidate on the list of patients awaiting transplants maintained  by concerned hospital/SOTTO/ROTTO/NOTTO for Organ Sharing .

The list of individuals awaiting an organ transplant is sorted by a patient’s medical urgency, degree of match to the donor, time on the waiting list and geographic location. The list does not refer race, gender, age, income or social status.

The transplant coordinator arranges the arrival and departure times of the surgical recovery transplant teams and is present to coordinate the entire recovery process. Transplant recipients are notified by their respective transplant centers and instructed to arrive at the hospital to prepare for transplantation. Transplant Surgeons perform life-saving transplants.

Once the organ recovery is complete, the donor family can make final arrangements for the funeral rituals.