Decreeing death

A case study of the brain death protocol. Based on the author's day-to-day professional hospital practice, this book takes a behind-the-scenes look at the process that results in organ donation in Brazil. In it, members of an in-hospital organ and tissue donation committee from a city in the state of Paran report on the technical aspects of how the process is carried out, as well as the emotional aspects present throughout the protocol. More than just an approximation of a hospital procedure, this book talks about professionals who suffer along with the family and patients, pointing out difficulties, problems and the need for further studies into socio-cultural issues related to brain death.