Glossary Term

Routine Referral

Hospitals are required on or before each death to call the OPO in order to determine suitability for organ, eye and tissue donation. The OPO, in consultation with the patient’s attending physician or his or her designee, will determine the suitability for donation. If the patient is a candidate for anatomical donation, only personnel from the OPO or a designated requestor from the hospital can request donation from the next-of-kin. (OPTN Glossary May 2021)