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.
Death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC) (also referred to as ''brain death") means the brain has permanently lost all function and a diagnosis of death using neurological criteria has been determined.
As a result of a severe brain injury or trauma, the brain begins to die due to the absence of blood flow and oxygen.
When the brain dies, the patient can no longer breathe, move, or think. Neurological death is permanent and irreversible.
Two physicians perform a series of standard tests designed to assess the function of the brain.
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 DNC criteria can be assessed to donate:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Corneas
