BIRTH TISSUE DONATION PROCESS

Step 1: Referral

Referrals are made directly by OBGYN offices prior to a scheduled c-section. When an expectant mother expresses interest in placental donation, her name and phone number are shared with a Birth Tissue Donation Coordinator at Nevada Donor Network.

Step 2: Consent

A Birth Tissue Donation Coordinator reaches out to the expectant mom by phone to provide more information about the ways in which the placenta and umbilical cord can benefit others, describes the process, and answers any questions she may have. When mom decides donation is the right choice for her and her baby, a consent form is completed over the phone giving permission for birth tissues to be donated at the time of delivery.

Step 3: Evaluation

The completed consent form gives Nevada Donor Network permission to review the expectant mom’s medical record. This evaluation helps to ensure the safety of donated tissues and is strictly confidential. All information obtained during the donation process is kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Step 4: Medical & Social History Interview

Within 2 weeks of the scheduled c-section, a Birth Tissue Donation Coordinator calls mom to conduct a medical and social history interview, including questions similar to those asked when someone donates blood. This questionnaire helps to determine the safety and potential uses of donated tissue.

Step 5: Blood Draw

In most cases, the blood draw will take place at the same time as the hospital admission blood draw. An expectant mom’s blood is tested for things that could be transmitted to recipients through transplantation of donated tissues. Infectious disease testing is required by law whenever human tissue is used for transplantation.

Step 6: Tissue Acquisition

A tissue acquisition technician from Nevada Donor Network will be present at the hospital during the c-section. Following the safe delivery of the baby, the physician delivers the placenta and umbilical cord in the same way he/she does in every delivery. These donated tissues are then packaged by the tissue acquisition technician.

Step 7: Graft Creation

Transportation of donated tissues to tissue processing agencies is coordinated by Nevada Donor Network. Tissue processors are responsible for testing and preserving the donated tissues to create grafts used to help heal those in need through therapeutic medicine. If donated tissues are not able to be used for transplantation, processors may use tissue for research and education purposes to aid in the advancement of regenerative medicine.