Kate-Tastrophy: A Case Study in Brain Death, Part IV, by Rosemary Martin, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Part IV

Trish watched as Dr. Timms walked towards her. “Mrs. Norris, I wonder if we could have a chat?” he asked gently. She nodded and accompanied both Dr. Timms and the bedside nurse along the corridor to a quiet room.

“I find this hard to say, but unfortunately all the signs indicate that Kate’s brain is dead,” Dr. Timms paused. “Even though we removed the blood clot that was pushing on her brain we were too late and her brain has not recovered.”

Trish felt her concentration slipping away. In her mind’s eye she could see Kate bouncing into the kitchen on the morning of her 21st birthday. Trish tried to focus back on the doctor’s face. “Although Kate’s brain is dead, she was a healthy young woman and so perhaps out of her death something good can happen.” Dr. Timms paused again. “Would you consider donating her organs to help other people live?”

Questions

  1. Which of Kate’s organs could be donated for use in other patients?
  2. How might patients be protected from prematurely being declared ’dead’ when doctors want organs for donation?
  3. What events might occur in the hospital if Trish gives permission for donation of Kate’s organs?

Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/brain_death/brain_death4.asp

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