Lions Gift of Sight partners with LifeSource, an organ and tissue procurement organization, to provide education for hospital and medical staff members. Training is available on:
- types of organ, tissue, and eye donation;
- donation referral process;
- hospital donation policies and procedures;
- federal and state regulations;
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requirements;
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements; and
- support services for donor families and transplant recipients.
New employee education, annual education, and specially-tailored group sessions are available.
Hospice Professionals
Hospice patients may choose to donate, and many have designated their wishes through durable power of healthcare directives, a donation registry, or a state identification card or driver’s license designation.
The ability to donate organ, tissue, or eyes is dependent upon the individual’s age, as well as medical and social history.
It is important to note that many people have the potential to donate tissues and eyes although they may not qualify for organ donation. And more people are eligible for eye donation than any other type of donation. Conditions such as poor vision or cancer do not necessarily prevent eye donation.
If an individual wants to donate and is suitable for donation, arrangements can be made for the donation to take place.
Patients in hospital–based (inpatient) hospice programs will be referred through the hospital’s established donor referral process. Patients in freestanding hospice facilities may be referred directly to the Lions Gift of Sight’s 24–hour phone line.
For questions or 24–hour donor referral, please call 612–624–3900.
