Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network takes great strides to deliver donation information to families and legal next of kin in a timely and respectful manner and provides support to them throughout the donation process. Open communications with the hospital care team and coordinating a plan to speak with families provides the best opportunity to ensure a smooth transition into end-of-life discussions about organ and tissue donation.

Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network works collaboratively with the patient’s care team to facilitate and coordinate communications before we speak with the legal decision-makers. Keeping the lines of communication open with our hospital partners is invaluable to ensuring families or next of kin receive information about donation in a timely and effective manner.

Donation conversations with families must be initiated by the donation agency. Prior to the discussion of donation, the following are critical to having timely conversations:

• Ensure the grave prognosis or declaration of brain death is communicated to and understood by family/legal next of kin. This is an important first step for them before being able to process end-of-life information regarding organ donation.
• It is also important for us to have information on family dynamics and the identification of the legal next-of-kin, as that person may be different from the person making health care decisions.
• Prevent unplanned or premature mentions of donation by hospital care team.
  • “Bridging statements” can be used by the care team to help the family transition to the next part of their decision-making process. Bridging statements DO NOT include sharing information about donation. Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network coordinators are authorized to speak to and request donation from the legal next of kin, even if they share with hospital staff that they do not want to donate. This is to ensure they have the information they need to make an informed decision and that their donation questions are answered.
  • See “Helpful Resources” for Bridging Statement options.
• Update Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network on any indications the family may be ready for end-of-life discussions.

After consulting with the patient’s care team and at the proper time, a coordinator from Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network will offer the legal next of kin the opportunity for donation or inform them of the patient’s donor registration status.

Our conversations with potential donor families include: 

• Offering condolences
• Assessing their understanding of what has happened to their loved one (grave prognosis or brain death)
• Decoupling medical care and end-of-life organ donation options
• Sharing information about organ and tissue donation and their loved one’s potential to give the gift of life
• Notification of the patient’s self-determined consent to donate, or seeking authorization for donation
• Asking if they have any questions or needs
• Providing information and support throughout the donation process