Organ/Tissue Donation Referral Checklist

Ensure timely and appropriate referral to organ procurement organization per CMS requirements for all hospital deaths and imminent deaths.

  • Industry: Healthcare
  • Frequency: Every death/imminent death
  • Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Role: Clinical Staff
  • Total Items: 29
  • Compliance: CMS CoP 42 CFR 482.45, UNOS Policies, OPO Policies

Clinical Triggers

Referral trigger criteria

  • Imminent death identified?
  • Ventilator-dependent?
  • Meeting neurological death criteria?
  • Cardiac death/withdrawal of support?

OPO Notification

Timely OPO referral

  • OPO called within timeframe?
  • OPO case number obtained?
  • Clinical information provided to OPO?
  • OPO recommendations documented?

Donor Suitability

OPO determination

  • Medical suitability determined by OPO?
  • Potential organ donor?
  • Potential tissue donor?

Family Approach

Authorization process

  • Family approach decoupled from death notification?
  • OPO staff approached family (if applicable)?
  • Authorization obtained?
  • All documentation complete?

Pre-Assessment Information

Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification

  • Assessor Name / Credentials
  • Assessment Date
  • Department / Unit
  • Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
  • Previous assessment findings reviewed?

Infection Prevention & Control

Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards

  • Hand hygiene compliance observed?
  • Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
  • Isolation precautions properly implemented?
  • Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
  • High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?

Patient Safety & Identification

Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures

  • Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
  • Fall risk assessment completed?
  • Call light within patient reach?
  • Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?

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Why Use This Organ/Tissue Donation Referral Checklist?

This organ/tissue donation referral checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for clinical staff professionals, this checklist covers 29 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: every death/imminent death.

Ensures compliance with CMS CoP 42 CFR 482.45, UNOS Policies, OPO Policies. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Organ/Tissue Donation Referral Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 29 inspection items across 7 sections: Clinical Triggers, OPO Notification, Donor Suitability, Family Approach, Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed every death/imminent death. Each completion takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

Who should use this Organ/Tissue Donation Referral Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Clinical Staff professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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