The Pembroke Regional Hospital has been recognized by the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2019/2020.
At a special virtual awards ceremony held today, PRH was recognized as one of 29 hospitals in the province to receive the Provincial Conversion Rate Award for meeting or exceeding the target conversion rate of 63 per cent set by the Trillium Gift of Life Network. The conversion rate is the percentage of potential organ donors who went on to become actual donors. This is the second time PRH has received this award.
“Receiving this award means a lot to our team and demonstrates that the importance of organ and tissue donation in entrenched in our culture,” said PRH President and CEO Pierre Noel, while acknowledging the hospital’s commitment to providing optimal end-of-life care for all patients and their families.
“Since joining the Trillium Gift of Life Network in 2013, our hospital reports every patient death so that TGLN’s specially trained staff can identify potential donors and approach families to get consent. In the past year alone, this has resulted in one organ donor which led to three transplants performed from organs recovered and 14 tissue donors enhancing the lives of many.”
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is one of 30 hospitals to be awarded a 2019/2020 Trillium Gift of Life Network Achievement Award.
“Pembroke Regional Hospital has made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation in Ontario and this award is a reflection of that important work,” said Ronnie Gavsie, TGLN President and CEO. “The collaboration and partnership we have with our hospitals is critical to saving lives. Every Ontarian can play a part by registering to donate at BeADonor.ca. Now is the time to think about what we can do to protect the health of others, and this includes saving more lives through donation.”
Today, more than 1,600 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting. Over 90 per cent of Ontarians support donation, yet only 35 per cent have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
While some people believe that their age or medical condition prevents them from donating, in actuality, neither age nor health precludes someone from becoming a donor. Every potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability. Others may believe that doctors won’t work hard to save a life if someone is a registered donor, but in fact, saving a life is always the priority. Donation is only considered after all lifesaving efforts are exhausted, there is no chance of recovery, and the family accepts the diagnosis of death.
To learn more about organ and tissue donation or to register as a donor, please visit www.beadonor.ca.
