When Does The Donation Process Begin
by News Canada
(NC)-The surgery can begin after two doctors, not involved in the transplantationprocedure, have declared the patient to be brain-dead. If and when thefamily agrees to donate the organs and tissues of their loved ones, thetransplantation team arrives to harvest them.
If I have registered my consent for organ donation, will everything be doneto save my life if I'm severely injured?
Absolutely. Organ donation is, first and foremost, about saving lives. Potentialorgan donors must be declared brain dead by two impartial doctors whowork separately from the transplant team. Transplant doctors are not involvedwith the patient until lifesaving attempts have failed, brain death hasbeen declared, and consent for organ donation has been confirmed.
A person is brain dead when all the functions of the brain stop working. Lessthan 1% of all deaths in Canada result in the potential for organ donation.
What is the success rate for transplantation of organs?
Success rates for transplants vary depending on the organ, but in general 85-95%of transplants are successful one year after surgery.
For more information on organ and tissue donation and how you can donate, visit
www.healthcanada.ca/organandtissue
on the Internet.
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