Hospice Care & Nursing Homes
Honoring Life, Sharing Hope
More than 800,000 Nebraskans are registered donors. Medical professionals working in hospice care and nursing homes play an essential role in helping these individuals share their final act of generosity through organ and tissue donation.
To make a referral for organ, tissue, and eye donation, please call 800-925-0215.
Donation Opportunities
Tissue Donation
Tissue donation is the most common form of donation, especially in end-of-life settings. The tissues that can be donated include corneas, heart valves, skin, veins, bone and tendons.
Tissue donation most often occurs at the Live On Nebraska facility in Omaha and is completed within 24 hours of the donor’s death. Prior to donation, the donor’s legal decision maker is contacted to complete a medical history, review what can be donated and discuss the family’s funeral plans.
Organ Donation
The organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small intestine. Organ donation is only possible for patients who die in a hospital and are supported by a ventilator.
Rules & Regulations
Organ, tissue, and eye donation is regulated by a number of state and national agencies. The purpose of these regulations ranges from when to make referrals to who can provide consent for donation. Below are the regulations that impact Nebraska healthcare professionals.
Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA)
- Revised Statutes 71-4824 thru 71-4845
- Nebraska Legislature
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- §164.512 (h)
- HIPPA Legislation 45CFR-164.512
The Joint Commission
- TS.01.01.01 & TS.02.01.01 (available through the hospital manual purchased by your organization).
Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS)
- §482.45
- Regulations and Guidance