After all attempts to save the patient's life have been made, extensive testing is performed to confirm brain function has ceased. If tests confirm, the patient is declared brain dead.
After exhausting all attempts to save the patient's life, the patient may be declared brain dead.
A complete brain death examination is extensive and must be done under controlled conditions. Only a hospital physician can make the brain death declaration.
IOPO professionals will confirm that death has been declared according to Indiana law.
IOPO Family Service Coordinators explain and help the family understand brain death and what will happen throughout the entire donation process.
Once brain death is declared, the process of recovering the organs can begin.
Under certain circumstances, it may also be possible for a patient to become a donor shortly after cardiac death.
Click next to learn more about the processes of the recovery of the organs.