Case Study: Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Washington, DC 20420
VHA HANDBOOK 1101.03
Transmittal Sheet
April 30, 2009
ORGAN, TISSUE, AND EYE DONATION PROCESS
1. REASON FOR ISSUE. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook describes the procedures for processing referrals to local procurement organizations, which encompass solid organ, tissue, and eye donation.
2. SUMMARY OF CHANGES. This is a new Handbook defining the parameters of Organ,
Tissue, and Eye Donation within VHA.
3. RELATED ISSUES. VHA Directive 1100 (to be published).
4. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE. The National Surgery Office (10NC2), is responsible for the contents of this Directive. Questions may be referred to the National Director of Surgery at
202-461-7148. …show more content…
e. Near Death. Near death refers to a situation when, in the clinical judgment of the patient’s health care provider and based on defined clinical triggers, the patient’s death is imminent. 2
April 30, 2009
VHA HANDBOOK 1101.03
f. Procurement Organization. Procurement organization refers to an Organ Procurement
Organization (OPO), an eye bank, or a tissue bank.
(1) An OPO must meet the applicable requirements of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 273(b)(1)), and be certified or recertified by the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
(2) Eye banks and tissue banks are regulated by HHS under section 361 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 21 CFR Part 1271.
g. OPO Coordinator. An OPO Coordinator is an OPO staff member who assists in the donor management, suitability determination and family services coordination. These individuals facilitate the donation consent process, coordinate the surgical procurement, assume immediate responsibility for the preservation and distribution of the organs to transplant centers according to guidelines established by United Network for Organ Sharing …show more content…
DCD should only take place to honor this choice. NOTE: Discretion and sensitivity must be exercised along with respect for individual circumstances, views, and beliefs of patients and families of potential donors.
(c) Medical Examiner cases do not preclude donation. A case must be referred to the
Medical Examiner in the usual way and follow the same procedure in reporting these deaths to the procurement organization, as donation may be an option. The procurement organization contacts the Medical Examiner regarding the release of suitable organs, tissues or eyes for donation. (11) An operating room with appropriate staff and equipment is provided for performing recovery of major vital organs, tissue, and eyes. For tissue and eye recovery, the morgue or bed side may be used in lieu of the operating room. Without facilities for organ, tissue, or eye recovery, the procurement organization, if possible, makes arrangements for transfer of the donor to an appropriate facility.
(12) The procedure for notifying family members is effected in collaboration with
Veterans Health Administration
Washington, DC 20420
VHA HANDBOOK 1101.03
Transmittal Sheet
April 30, 2009
ORGAN, TISSUE, AND EYE DONATION PROCESS
1. REASON FOR ISSUE. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook describes the procedures for processing referrals to local procurement organizations, which encompass solid organ, tissue, and eye donation.
2. SUMMARY OF CHANGES. This is a new Handbook defining the parameters of Organ,
Tissue, and Eye Donation within VHA.
3. RELATED ISSUES. VHA Directive 1100 (to be published).
4. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE. The National Surgery Office (10NC2), is responsible for the contents of this Directive. Questions may be referred to the National Director of Surgery at
202-461-7148. …show more content…
e. Near Death. Near death refers to a situation when, in the clinical judgment of the patient’s health care provider and based on defined clinical triggers, the patient’s death is imminent. 2
April 30, 2009
VHA HANDBOOK 1101.03
f. Procurement Organization. Procurement organization refers to an Organ Procurement
Organization (OPO), an eye bank, or a tissue bank.
(1) An OPO must meet the applicable requirements of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 273(b)(1)), and be certified or recertified by the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
(2) Eye banks and tissue banks are regulated by HHS under section 361 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 21 CFR Part 1271.
g. OPO Coordinator. An OPO Coordinator is an OPO staff member who assists in the donor management, suitability determination and family services coordination. These individuals facilitate the donation consent process, coordinate the surgical procurement, assume immediate responsibility for the preservation and distribution of the organs to transplant centers according to guidelines established by United Network for Organ Sharing …show more content…
DCD should only take place to honor this choice. NOTE: Discretion and sensitivity must be exercised along with respect for individual circumstances, views, and beliefs of patients and families of potential donors.
(c) Medical Examiner cases do not preclude donation. A case must be referred to the
Medical Examiner in the usual way and follow the same procedure in reporting these deaths to the procurement organization, as donation may be an option. The procurement organization contacts the Medical Examiner regarding the release of suitable organs, tissues or eyes for donation. (11) An operating room with appropriate staff and equipment is provided for performing recovery of major vital organs, tissue, and eyes. For tissue and eye recovery, the morgue or bed side may be used in lieu of the operating room. Without facilities for organ, tissue, or eye recovery, the procurement organization, if possible, makes arrangements for transfer of the donor to an appropriate facility.
(12) The procedure for notifying family members is effected in collaboration with