Once a patient is declared dead, a Donor Alliance family support coordinator works with the family of the deceased to explain the donation process and to ensure that the decision is based on informed consent. A thorough medical and social history of the potential donor is conducted to help determine the suitability of the organs for transplant. After death and upon consent of the family, organs that have been deemed suitable for transplant are recovered. For recovery, the donor is taken to an operating room where a trained surgical team removes the organs and tissue; during which, the same surgical care is taken as in an operation on a live person. The donor is treated with the highest degree of respect and care.