6:06am
The prognosis is grave. The family can feel the urgency of the situation as they wait for the results of tests to see what will happen next. More family members begin to arrive. Nurses continue to treat blood pressure and respiration and monitor other vital functions.
6:52am
A neurosurgeon reviews the latest tests and determines that the patient is brain dead. Her brain no longer controls any of her body functions, including her breathing. Because oxygen is being provided by a respirator, her heart continues to beat, keeping her other organs functioning.
7:00am
In a quiet room away from the urgency of the ICU, the neuro-surgeon talks with the family and shares the grim news. He explains brain death and the test results. There are many questions, doubts and fears. The grief process is just beginning for a family faced with sudden loss. The patient’s nurse is steadfast in her care and con-cern for the family. Right now they need time to think, share, question and grieve.
7:30am
The patient’s husband holds her hand and tells her nurse that she wanted to be an organ donor. He asks if that is still possible. The nurse pages an IOPO Family Services Coordinator. IOPO determines that the patient had declared her donation wishes on her Indiana Driver License.
8:40am
The IOPO Family Services Coordinator meets with the family and listens to them share their sadness. Slowly they begin to ask questions about how organ donation works, if transplants can really help and will they still be able to say goodbye. In about an hour, the family has completed the medical history and their questions have been answered. IOPO begins the process of making sure the patient’s wishes to help others are fulfilled.
8:59am
The IOPO Family Services Coordinator contacts IOPO’s administrator on call and clinical teams are notified. Until they arrive, and during the various clinical steps that lead up to donation, the family’s wish to spend time alone with the patient is granted.
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