Journal of palliative medicine
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Donation after cardiac death (DCD) is technique of organ donation that has increased the number of available organs for transplant. This process allows organ donation after declaring death using cardiopulmonary criteria. Concerns exist with quality of symptom control and family support during this process. ⋯ This hospital has a DCD protocol established. The article reviews basic concepts of DCD. It reviews how a palliative care team interacts with other hospital teams to provide expert symptom control and emotional support for families during the DCD process.