Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
Talking Organ Donation with Dr. Rouse
Today in Ontario, there are more than 1,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance as many as 75 through the gift of tissue.
The Stratford General Hospital Site of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) is proud to be one of the hospitals in Ontario working with the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) to save lives through organ and tissue donation through the Routine Notification program. This means TGLN is notified when a patient has died or prior to death according to their established referral indicators.
"We 'went live' with the program in October of 2012 and since then we have done an excellent job of identifying potential donors thanks to the diligent work of our staff and the Organ and Tissue Donation Committee," says Dr. Tyler Rouse, Chair of the Committee and Hospital Donation Physician (HDP) for Stratford.
Dr. Rouse, Associate Pathologist, has been part of the HPHA family since 2007 and is one of 50 HDP's working to support organ and tissue donation within Ontario hospitals. As an HDP, Dr. Rouse provides educational support and shares expertise with staff.
"The reality is that the opportunity for organ donation is rare," adds Rouse. "While all of us have the potential to be an organ and/or tissue donor, you are five times more likely to need an organ transplant during your lifetime than you will have the opportunity to donate one."
On average, only 2-3% of hospital deaths occur in circumstances that will permit a person to become an organ donor, which means it is crucial that hospital staff be familiar with the criteria a person must meet to be an organ donor and know when the call to Trillium Gift of Life Network must be made.
In support of BeADonor month this April, staff, physicians, and volunteers at HPHA are once again revitalizing their commitment to TGLN's organ and tissue donation workplace registration drive initiative.
The registration drive has one simple ask: register to be an organ and tissue donor.
Polls show more than 85% of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation. However, only one in four Ontarians have registered their consent to donate.
According to TGLN, HPHA communities rank above the national average in regards to donor registration but the reality is there is a chronic shortage of organs and tissue available for transplantation across Canada, and the need for organs and tissue in Ontario continues to outweigh their availability.
| | Ranking | Community | Registered Donors | Health Card Holders | Donor Registration Rate | | 24 | St Marys | 3,353 | 7,326 | 46% | | 39 | Stratford | 12,332 | 28,111 | 44% | | 95 | Southern Bruce and Huron Counties | 23,205 | 63,743 | 36% | | 120 | Perth County | 6,594 | 18,742 | 35% |
"Through our participation in Routine Notification we have been able to provide donations that have real impacts for recipients," emphasizes Rouse. "I encourage everyone to visit www.beadonor.ca/hpha and take a few minutes to sign up! You can also register your consent in person at a Service Ontario Centre."
Quick Facts:
Donation
- 11,992 Ontario have received a lifesaving organ transplant since 2003.
Wait List
- As of April 1, 2016 1,579 people in Ontario are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Of these 1,579 people waiting, 1,142 need a kidney.
Registration
- As of January 1, 2016 29 per cent (3.4 million) of Ontarians have registered their consent to save lives through organ donation.
- Since October 2012, over 870 employees, as well as their family and friends, have visited HPHA's dedicated campaign page (www.beadonor.ca/hpha) to register their consent for organ and tissue donation or to check their registration status.
HPHA's Organ and Tissue Donation Committee
The Organ and Tissue Donation Committee has been in place since 2012 and is responsible for maximizing organ and tissue donation for the purpose of saving and enhancing lives in Ontario. The Committee provides a forum for an interprofessional approach to organ and tissue donation, as a means of ensuring consistency in, and monitoring of, the organ and tissue donation process within the hospital. The committee has educated staff and physicians and continues to work to ensure a strong culture of donation is established and integrated as part of quality end of life care. TGLN will provide the next steps for HPHA to include all sites in organ and tissue donation processes.
Trilllium Gift of Life Network (TGLN)
Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation for transplantation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.
Media Contact:
Kathie Cuerden
Program Director ER, CCU, Cardiorespiratory, Medicine & Stroke
Co-Chair Organ & Tissue Donation Committee
519-272-8210 ext 2482
kathie.cuerden@hpha.ca
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