Upon identifying a potential deceased donor meeting clinical triggers, what is the mandatory first action regarding communication with external organizations?

The mandatory first action regarding communication with external organizations, upon identifying a potential deceased donor meeting clinical triggers, is to notify the designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). A potential deceased donor refers to a patient whose medical condition has deteriorated to a point where death is imminent or has occurred, and who meets specific medical criteria suggesting they could be an organ, eye, or tissue donor. Clinical triggers are predefined medical criteria, established by federal regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and hospital policy, which indicate a patient's severe neurological injury or critical medical status is likely to progress to brain death or circulatory death. Examples of clinical triggers include specific Glasgow Coma Scale scores (e.g., 5 or less), loss of brainstem reflexes, or mechanical ventilation in the context of a devastating neurological injury. The Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) is the federally designated, non-profit organization responsible for coordinating all aspects of organ, eye, and tissue donation within a specific geographic service area. This notification must be made in a timely manner, meaning promptly after the clinical triggers are met and the patient is identified as a potential donor, without undue delay. This requirement is a federal mandate under the CMS Conditions of Participation for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation, designed to ensure that all potential donors are identified and referred to the OPO for evaluation. Hospital staff are legally prohibited from initiating discussions with the patient's family about organ, eye, and tissue donation until the OPO has been notified, has assessed the potential donor's suitability, and has then initiated the family approach for donation.