Windsor Regional Hospital was recently recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network) for outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2022/23.
In total, WRH was presented with three awards:
- Hospital Achievement Award - Provincial Conversion Rate (7th year) reaching a conversion rate that meets or exceeds the target of 63 percent set by Ontario Health (TGLN). The conversion rate is the percentage of potential organ donors (patients who die in a hospital setting and are deemed medically suitable for donation) who went on to become actual donors.
- Hospital Achievement Award - Provincial Eligible Approach Rate (3rd year) for meeting or exceeding the eligible approach rate target of 90% set by Ontario Health (TGLN). This award recognizes hospitals for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients/families of patients at end of life.
- Award of Excellence (4th year) - meeting or exceeding the provincial target for conversion rate for four or more consecutive years, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the implementation of donation leading practices.
Windsor Regional Hospital is one of 44 hospitals across the province receiving awards.
2022-2023 saw WRH have 13 organ donors, which resulted in 43 organs donated for transplant and saved the lives of 37 individuals.
A further 39 tissue donors enhanced the lives of many, according to officials.
There are nearly 1,400 people in Ontario in need of a life-saving organ transplant, and thousands more who are in need of life-restoring tissue transplants.
Tragically, officials say every three days someone will die waiting for an organ while those awaiting valuable tissue will continue to experience a lower quality of life.
Dr. Natalie Malus, hospital donation physician, says the recognition speaks to a level of awareness of all staff throughout different areas of the hospital.
"You know, whether it's the emergency room, or the intensive care unit, or the coronary care units. And even going as far as the operating room, staff who kind of participate in making sure that this becomes a priority for our hospital," she said.
Dr. Malus says in terms of when this happens, it's usually when a patient is nearing end of life.
"And there's a decision to withdraw from the families, and only after that does Trillium approach the family to talk about the gift that they can potentially offer."
She says when people are registered to donate, and more importantly they talk to their family about their wishes, statistics show that at the end of life family members are more likely to consent.
"Because at the end of life, usually it's not the person themselves that's consenting, it's their family members that are speaking on behalf of them. They have an easier time to make a decision in such a tragic situation when there's a registered decision, or if they've spoken to their family members about their wishes, it's a much easier discussion to have," she said.
Officials say the success of organ and tissue donation, and transplantation, in the provinces hinges on the efforts of hospitals and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to ensure people have the opportunity to help others through the gift of life.
The Hospital Achievement Awards recognize the important work and the impact it can have on those waiting for a donation.
- with files from AM800's The Dan MacDonald Show