At one time in the hospital emergency department, patients wishing to become organ donors were denied the opportunity because they died in the emergency department. Now through Condition T, the gap between emergency and critical care teams at the hospital can be bridged to allow for donation in certain cases. Patients who have made the decision to become organ donors and are pronounced dead in the emergency department now can offer the extraordinary gift of life.

Condition T is a rapid response protocol that enables organ donation from patients who have designated themselves to be an organ donor, and who die in the emergency department after failing heroic resuscitative attempts. The Condition T protocol, along with program tools to facilitate education, technical skills, teamwork, process coordination, and policy guidance can be used by other centers and result in more Condition T organ donations. These tools are available through this universally-deployable Condition T website.

As a leader in emergency care and organ transplantation, UPMC has the expertise and integrity necessary to translate this innovative program already in use in Europe to the needs of Americans, and following U.S. laws. The partnership with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE), the Gift of Life of Michigan, and the University of Michigan is helping UPMC accomplish this goal and provide tools that will help other organizations offer the same program elsewhere in the U.S.