Medical Examiners

A Working Partnership

Live On Nebraska is committed to working with medical examiners and coroners to ensure patient wishes can be recognized without compromising the integrity of legal investigations. Medical examiners and coroners may also play a role in the referral of potential donation candidates.

In the event of an out-of-hospital-death, medical examiner or coroner staff are encouraged to contact Live On Nebraska and provide patient information for evaluation of possible tissue donation.

To make a referral for donation, please call 402-733-4000.

When making a referral, you will be asked for the following information:

Deceased’s name
Date of birth
Approximate weight
Date/time last known alive
Circumstances of death/injuries
Suspected high-risk behaviors
Next of kin name and contact number
Location of body
Mortuary information
Whether an autopsy has been ordered

The recovery of donated tissue needs to occur within 12 to 24 hours of death (depending on cooling of the body) and prior to embalming. Ideally, the referral will be made as early as possible to ensure that no logistical concerns stand in the way of the individual or family’s wishes.

The Case of Collaboration

Recognizing the importance of organ and tissue donation, the Scientific Working Group for Medicolegal Death Investigation (SWGMDI) and the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) have issued guidelines for collaboration with organ and tissue procurement organizations.

Investigation Assistance

In all donation opportunities involving the county coroner, Live On Nebraska staff will work directly with the county coroner to assess donation and autopsy requirements. The county attorney/coroner, law enforcement and/or pathologist can be present during the recovery of organs for personal observation and evidence. Live On Nebraska can also provide items that may be of assistance to investigations if available and as requested. The list includes, but is not limited to:

Brain death note(s)
Medical social history
Prior medical records
Paramedic run-sheet
Hospital admission blood
Communicable disease serology panel results
Toxicology panel results
X-rays with report
CT scans with report
Echocardiogram/EKG with report
Bronchoscopy with report
Photography during organ recovery
Photography during tissue recovery
Blood samples prior to organ/tissue recovery
Histology reports (if done) from recovered organs
Vitreous fluid (from Lions Eye Bank of Nebraska or Iowa Lions Eye Bank)

Donation Regulations

The Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) provides guidelines for the medical examiner or coroner in dealing with a candidate for organ, tissue or eye donation in section 23-1827 thru 23-1832 of the state statute.