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Procedure for referring a potential donor after death
In your practice, you may encounter situations involving sudden death. Following such a death, you must determine whether the person may be a potential donor. In order for human tissue donation to take place, death must be confirmed, i.e., cardiorespiratory arrest without maintenance of vital functions must be observed.
From recommendation to distribution
Human tissue donations can be made from birth to age 85. In all cases, a medical evaluation is conducted by Héma-Québec to validate the eligibility of potential donors.
Depending on age, the following human tissues may be harvested:
Cardiovascular tissue
From birth to age 60
Skin and musculoskeletal tissue
From age 15 to 75
Eye tissue
From age 2 to 85 inclusive
Héma-Québec will carry out the usual checks in the consent registries of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and the Chambre des notaires du Québec (CNQ). After checking both registries, hospital staff will be informed by telephone whether or not consent has been given.
If consent is recorded in the registry or if relatives agree to be contacted about tissue donation, Héma-Québec takes care of the process. In particular, it records the consent of relatives by telephone and qualifies the donor, if applicable.
Referring a person for human tissue donation
To refer a potential donor, the person must have been deceased for less than 24 hours and not meet any of the following exclusion criteria :
- Over 86 years of age
- HIV, Hepatitis B virus or Hepatitis C virus
- Active, untreated systemic infection
- Blood cancer (lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma)
- Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia of unknown origin
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis
You can recommend a person for human tissue donation by calling 1 888 366-7338, option 2. This hotline is available from 6 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week. See the procedure for recommending a potential donor after death.
Héma-Québec has developed tools to help you support loved ones and families in their decision to consent to human tissue donation.
Resources for health care professionals
Useful informations for family and friends
You would like to recommend a potential human tissue donor to Héma-Québec?
If you have any questions or would like to refer a person for donation, please contact our hospital customer service department, available from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
- Phone:1 888 366-7338 (option 2)
- Fax: 418 780-2097
- Email: coordonnateurs.th@hema-quebec.qc.ca