Donor Network of Arizona Referral Hotline – 1-800-447-9477

The timely referral of patients who meet the criteria for donation is essential to the donation process. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires hospitals and Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) to identify specific clinical triggers to determine when patients should be referred. 

In Arizona, the clinical triggers to refer patients are:

What you should know:

• Refer any ventilated patient that is not expected to survive or where death is imminent. For example, high c-spine injury.
• Injured Lungs Examples: ARDS, ECMO, COVID Lungs 
• Injured Heart Examples: Impella, ECMO, Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) 
• A patient who has a GCS higher than 5 may meet other triggers and should be referred.
• Please continue to call within one hour after cardiac death to evaluate for tissue and ocular donation.
• Not sure? Please refer!

It is important not to mention donation to the family at the time of referral. The appropriate time is after consultation and collaboration with DNA to determine the best time, place and who should be involved in the conversation.