Clinical Triggers/Early Referral
When patients are on a ventilator and have a Glasgow Coma Scale of less than or equal to 5, or appear to have irreversible loss of brain function, death is considered to be imminent and CDT must be notified immediately. CDT must be notified before the patient is removed from the ventilator.

You Must Call CDT When:
Your patient has an injury or insult to the brain and meets three of the following criteria:

• Deep coma – unresponsive to any painful stimuli above the level of the spinal cord
• Pupils fixed: unresponsive to light
• Absent corneal reflexes
• Respiratory paralysis – maintained by artificial ventilator with no effort at spontaneous respiration of the ventilator

Early Referrals are Important Because:

• The patient’s family is given time to be educated about donation, discuss the options and make an informed decision
• The patient’s stability is maintained so that donation is medically possible if the family gives consent

How to Make a Referral

To refer a potential organ or tissue donor any time of day or night, call 1-800-803-6667.

The first step in making a referral is to ensure you have the medical chart on hand so you are prepared to discuss the patient’s diagnosis and background. You will be asked:

• The patient’s age, sex, race, medical/social history and current diagnosis. More detailed information may be asked.
• Name and phone number of patient’s next of kin

Evaluation of Potential Organ Donors

If a patient has been declared brain dead or imminent brain death is approaching and the patient meets the general medical criteria, a CDT coordinator will come to the hospital for further evaluation. The evaluation may include reviewing patient course of action, medical & social history, hemodynamics, laboratory values and organ specific testing.