Where do patients typically die before being considered for lung recovery in Wake County EMS?

Patients are typically considered for lung recovery after having died in the field following failed revival attempts. This scenario involves emergency medical services losing the ability to resuscitate a patient, leading to the declaration of death in a pre-hospital setting. The process for organ recovery, including lungs, necessitates that the patient be identified as a potential donor at the time of death, and cases of death occurring in the field are often prioritized for organ recovery protocols due to the urgency of preserving organ viability.

In cases where resuscitation efforts are unsuccessful, EMS protocols allow for the swift assessment of the patient's potential to donate organs, including lungs. This is crucial because the time between death and organ recovery is critical for the success of transplants, making the response in the field particularly essential. Other settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or at home, typically involve different protocols and timelines that may not align with the immediate need for organ recovery, especially concerning lungs which are sensitive to time and environmental conditions once circulation ceases.