Tissue Donation Timeline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires that hospitals report all deaths to Indiana Donor Network.
This is a typical process. Times can vary by case.
1. Referral Call
Hospital refers patient to Indiana Donor Network through a call to the Vital Link Donation Center. Referrals can also be called in by other parties such as funeral homes, coroner offices, EMTs, police and fire departments, hospice facilities and nursing homes.
2. Initial Screening
Indiana Donor Network works with hospital to determine donation
eligibility. If patient is not eligible, Indiana Donor Network will notify
the hospital that the patient may be released from the donation process.
3. Authorization
If eligible, Indiana Donor Network will contact the legal next of kin via phone to review the medical/social history of the patient and/or request authorization. If the family declines donation at this time, Indiana Donor Network will update the chosen funeral home to inform them of the decision — if the funeral home was provided by the hospital. This time varies, based on next of kin availability.
4. Transportation
Indiana Donor Network coordinates transport to our office for the recovery. Once the donor patient arrives at Indiana Donor Network, a certified tissue recovery coordinator confirms the identification of the patient and transports them to the recovery suite. There, the recovery team reviews medical records and performs a donor risk assessment.
5. Recovery
The donor is prepped and the tissue recovery process begins. Once recovery is complete, reconstruction takes place.
6. Transportation
Immediately upon completion of recovery, the donor patient is prepared for transport. Arrangements for transportation to the funeral home are completed with the funeral director.
7. Post-Recovery
Tissues are prepared for delivery to tissue processors.
If you have any questions or need any updates throughout the donation transportation process, please call the Vital Link Donation Center’s Funeral Director line at 855.777.4676.
Out-of-Hospital Deaths
We want to ensure families have the opportunity to make the donation decision. Once you are notified of an out-of-hospital death, please immediately call and make the referral to Indiana Donor Network. This will allow us to talk with the family and complete a proper assessment to determine eligibility for donation.
We ask that you not mention donation to the family. Following your referral, an Indiana Donor Network coordinator will contact the family by phone to discuss tissue and eye donation opportunities and answer any questions.
If the family proactively mentions donation, we recommend responding with something along the lines of:
“Tissue and eye donation may be an opportunity for your family. I will contact Indiana Donor Network, the state’s donation agency, and they will call you with more information and answers to your questions.”
Below is a list of the most common information needed when making a donor referral to Indiana Donor Network:
- Funeral home information.
- Decedent’s name, date of birth, date of death, age and gender.
- Time of death and/or last time seen alive.
- Circumstances surrounding the death.
- Will there be an autopsy? If so, when and where?
- Next of kin name, relationship, and phone number.
An Indiana Donor Network coordinator will approach the family about donation and will communicate all further information and updates with your funeral home.
Thank you for making donation an option for the families you serve.
Out-of-hospital death referrals can be called in by coroners’ offices, EMTs, police departments, fire departments, hospice facilities, nursing homes and funeral homes.
Newsletter
Sign up to receive our funeral director newsletter and periodic updates via email.
