New Mexico Donor Services/Donate Life NM
New Mexico Donor Services (NMDS) is committed to save and improve lives by connecting people through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. We do this through the work of dedicated professionals who share an extraordinary commitment to science, health and hope.
Throughout the NMDS family, we are proud to foster an environment where selfless professionals are committed to the work that we do. In fact, our performance is measured by the impact we have on the lives of donors and families who make transplantation possible, and the patients whose lives are saved and improved by their gifts. By mobilizing the power of people and the potential of technology, we are honored to extend the reach of each donor’s gift and share the importance of the Gift of Life.
NMDS operates in an ethically and financially responsible manner to conserve scarce resources and to ensure public trust.
New Mexico Donor Services receives calls from all New Mexico hospitals when a death occurs or when potential for organ and/or tissue donor is identified. Once initial medical information is gathered from the hospital staff, it is determined if the patient may be able to donate organs and/or tissue to help others in need.
If donation is an option, an Organ Recovery Coordinator and a Family Care Coordinator immediately begins work to facilitate the donation process. The Donate Life New Mexico Organ and Tissue Donor Registry is checked to determine if the potential donor has signed up to be an organ/tissue donor. If the potential donor is on the registry, the family is notified and the donation process proceeds. If the potential donor has not signed up on the registry the Family Care Coordinator supports the family and consults with them regarding possible donation.
NMDS evaluates the medical suitability of the patient, manages the medical care of the donor until transplantation can take place, and accesses the national waiting list database to identify patients in need of transplants. Finally, NMDS manages the transport of organs to the surgeons who will perform the transplants into waiting recipients.
NMDS’ goal is to alleviate the critical shortage of organs by increasing the number of donations in our community and across the country, through public and professional education.
Tissue donation may be another option. A potential donor may be able to donate tissues that
Wayne Dunlap