Organ and tissue donation

Sometimes a family may raise the issue of organ or tissue donation especially if they know in advance that their relative has previously expressed a wish to donate and is on the organ donation register. Ideally, organ and tissue donation should be considered as part of end of life care planning (See NICE guidelines, Recommendations).

For health care professionals working in stroke medicine, it would be unusual to be directly involved in discussions about organ donation but tissue donation could be discussed after a death has occurred.

There are different processes for organ and tissue donation.

For solid organ donation (e.g. Kidneys, heart, lung, liver)

Potential donors are those who have had a catastrophic brain injury, namely:

• The absence of one or more cranial nerve reflexes and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 4 or less that is not explained by sedation
• or when the intention to withdraw life-sustaining treatment in patients with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition will, or is expected to, result in circulatory death
• where the goals of treatment move from active treatment to enabling a ‘good death’ and then facilitating retrieval of organs – staff in accident and emergency or in intensive care departments have expertise in having sensitive and effective conversations with families about this.

Tissue donation

• Tissue donation can occur when a person has died naturally without major life saving interventions such as ventilation
• Tissue donation is less ‘pressured’ than organ donation as retrieval can take place up to 24 hours after death
• Donation does not delay the funeral and if it was going to, Tissue Services would withdraw
• The ‘donation conversation’ should take place immediately after death
• Check your local policies regarding tissue and organ donation procedures

The following shows the procedures in Scotland.

Tissue and Cornea donation

For any death under the age of 80 years of age. Donation of certain tissues may be possible unless the deceased is known to be HIV, Hep B or Hep C Positive or suffers from dementia.

Please call the Tissue Donor Coordinator on Radio Page No 07659 107 029 for organ donation register status and advice on progressing Tissue Donation.

When families decide to proceed with donation, further information will be required by the Tissue Donor Coordinator including:

• Circumstances of the death and past medical history if available
• Patient details
• Family contact details
• Post-mortem blood samples
• Procurators Fiscal Status
• Requirement to ensure the body is refrigerated within 6 hours of death

Page last reviewed: 16 Jan 2023