If my loved one is brain-dead, who decides when they die if theyre an organ donor?

Good Question: The decision to declare a patient brain dead is made by the attending physician that admitted the patient for head injury or other event. The doctor may seek the consultative advice of specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, or intensive care, etc. Once declared brain dead, an organ procurement organization is contacted to evaluate the patient for suitability as an organ and/or tissue donor.

They are dead: Legally if a patient is considered brain-dead they are dead. The time for the organ procurment surgery however is based upon resources at the hospital, transportation of the procurment surgeons and requests of the deceased patient's family.