What triggers the referral process for DCD donation?

The referral process for Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD) donation is triggered when a patient is on a ventilator, as this indicates that they are in a state where life-sustaining measures are being used. Ventilation generally supports a patient whose heart and lungs are not functioning independently, providing critical time to evaluate eligibility for organ donation.

This setting is crucial for DCD because it involves the cessation of cardiac function as the primary event that allows for the possibility of organ recovery. The patient's status on a ventilator signifies they may not respond to interventions aimed at restoring vital functions, making it essential to coordinate with donation services.

While family consent is indeed necessary for organ donation, it typically occurs later in the process, once the referral has been made and the potential for donation is being evaluated. Meeting brain death criteria is more relevant to traditional organ donation, which is distinct from DCD processes. Metabolic instability might be a consideration in overall patient care but does not directly initiate the referral for DCD donation.