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ATSORG15072
Disclaimer
is Guideline attempts to define principles of practice that should produce high-quality patient care.
It is applicable to specialists, primary care, and providers at all levels. is Guideline should not be
considered exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining the same results. e
ultimate judgment concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by the clinician aer
consideration of each individual patient situation.
Neither IGC, the medical associations, nor the authors endorse any product or service associated with
the distributor of this clinical reference tool.
Abbreviations
DCDD, donation aer circulatory determination of death; OPO, organ procurement
organization
Source
Gries CJ, White DB, Truog RD, An Official American oracic Society/International Society
for Heart and Lung Transplantation/Society of Critical Care Medicine/Association of Organ
and Procurement Organizations/United Network of Organ Sharing Statement: Ethical and
Policy Considerations in Organ Donation aer Circulatory Determination of Death. Am J Respir
Crit Care Med. 2013;188(1):103–109.
Developed in cooperation with the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation,
Society of Critical Care Medicine, Association of Organ and Procurement Organizations, and
United Network of Organ Sharing.
Figure 1. Organ Donation
Process
Consent
Interventions
Determination of Death
End-of-life Care
Discussion among
patient or surrogate(s),
clinicians and OPO
Ante mortem
Post mortem
Ethically appropriate
Determine if useful and
ethically appropriate
Special consent for
some interventions
Patient consent
Consent of surrogate
OR
Death can be declared after the cessation
of circulation and respiratory function for
2 minutes
Clear hospital policy discussed with patient
and/or surrogate(s)
