NJ Sharing Network, together with the hospital staff will evaluate patients at the time of their death to determine if they have the potential to become an organ or tissue donor.

The injuries to the brain that your loved one has suffered may have dramatic effects on the other organs as well. Specific testing and blood work must be conducted to determine current organ function. The results of these tests will assist us in determining if the organs can be transplanted.

An essential part of this evaluation comes from the family. A Transplant Coordinator will speak to you in a private location to ask questions about your loved one’s medical and social history. These questions are similar to those asked when donating blood and are necessary to ensure safety for the recipients. The questions are part of federally regulated donor screening requirements from the Food and Drug Administration, as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Public Health Service. They are necessary to ensure safety of the donated organs and tissue for the intended recipients.

All potential organ or tissue donors are tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as viruses responsible for hepatitis and other viral and bacterial diseases. These tests are performed by the NJ Organ and Tissue Sharing Network Transplant Laboratory and the results are kept confidential.

Organ and tissue donation takes place as quickly as possible after declaration of death. Blood testing must be done, the organs stabilized, recipients prepared, and an operating room arranged.

Your Transplant Coordinator will make every effort to maximize your loved one’s gift of organs and tissue and will keep you updated according to your wishes.

Sequence of events to a successful donation

Learn more.