For patients who may or may not have sustained a brain injury, and are not currently maintained on a ventilator, eye and tissue donation may still be an option. Because the patient has not been maintained on a ventilator to keep the heart beating and oxygen-rich blood flowing to all the vital organs, the organs are not viable for transplantation.
However, donation of the corneas can provide sight to two people and every year, more than 500,000 people benefit from tissue transplantation. There are many uses of donated tissue. Surgeons can use donated tissue, such as bone and connective tissue (ligaments and tendons) to repair injured limbs and joints.
The legal time of death occurs after the irreversible cessation of cardiopulmonary function (heartbeat and respiration). Hospitals are required to contact LifeBanc's donor referral center within an hour after the patient's death.
Tissue Donation
Once the family has completed a medical/social history and provided authorization/consent, tissue recovery will proceed. Tissue recovery is performed by trained medical technicians and occurs under sterile conditions in the operating room or, in some cases of cornea donation, the morgue.
In order to maintain as normal as possible the structure and appearance of the donor, all donated tissue are replaced with prosthetics. Respect for and dignity of the donor is of primary importance.