O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
What to Expect
in the Hospital
The circumstances of your loved one’s injuries
or illness are unique. His or her doctor is the
best person to explain exactly what the problem
is, how it is being treated, and what results
are expected.
Because things are usually happening so fast,
it’s easy to become overwhelmed or confused
by what is going on around you. So we’ve tried
to address some of the common questions
family members and friends ask.
What are all the tubes and equipment for?
Special equipment is used for critically ill
patients to help evaluate their injuries and
protect their vital functions. This may include:
•
A mechanical respirator (ventilator), which
pumps air into your loved one’s lungs through
a breathing tube.
•
Special tubes called catheters are inserted into
your loved one’s veins, arteries or chest to give
medications or withdraw blood for testing.
A catheter may also be placed directly into
the brain to measure swelling and pressure.
•
Patches called electrodes are attached to
the chest to measure activity of the heart.
Understanding
Organ Donation
We cannot possibly take away your pain and grief,
but we will offer you support and information.
Members of our support team are available
anytime to help you make the difficult but
necessary decisions of a family considering
the donation of your loved one’s organs,
tissues and corneas.
We include many of the facts and information
you have already discussed with the CORE
coordinator you met at the hospital. You will
also find messages of support and hope from
donor families who once faced the decision
you now face.
