In order to be a deceased organ donor in BC, a person needs to be in an intensive care unit (ICU) and on a ventilator (breathing machine). Donation is only considered after all life-saving methods to save a patient’s life have been tried.
Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) is an option for organ donation for patients with severe brain injuries once a decision has been made to remove all life-sustaining treatments. When a person's heart permanently stops beating, they have experienced Circulatory Death.
The option of what organs can be donated will be different for every patient, depending on their health and medical history. Patients who meet the DCD criteria can be assessed to donate:
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Corneas
