Tara Jeffrey
Bluewater Health is being recognized for its commitment to organ and tissue donation.
The hospital was recently given the Provincial Conversion Rate Award (2021/2022) from the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), for reaching a conversion rate of 100% — that is, the percentage of eligible donors who go on to actually donate organs.
The target, set by TGLN, is 63%.
It’s the fourth year Bluewater Health has received the honour.
The hospital also earned the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award, “for exceeding the provincial eligible approach rate target of 90 percent set by TGLN, achieving 100 percent in 2021/2022,” a news release noted.
The award recognizes hospitals for facilitating a donation discussion between TGLN and eligible patients/families of patients at end of life. It’s Bluewater Health’s second year receiving the award.
“These awards reflect Bluewater Health’s commitment to implement leading donation practices and integrate donation as part of quality end-of-life care,” said Dr. Glenna Cuccarolo, intensivist and medical director of Intensive Care, and Hospital Donation Physician for Bluewater Health through Ontario Health’s TGLN.
Today, more than 1,400 people are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting. More than 90% of Ontarians support donation, yet only 35 per cent have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation, according to the TGLN.
Lambton County currently ranks 11th out of 170 communities in the province when it comes to the current organ and tissue donor registration rate — at 57% — according to beadonor.ca.
That means, out of 37,454 health card holders, 21,375 of those individuals are registered donors.
The City of Sarnia is ranked 23rd, with a donor registration rate of 55%.
“The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on the hard work and dedication of our health care partners,” said Rebecca Cooper, vice president, Ontario Renal Network and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario Health.
“Bluewater Health has made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation and this award is a reflection of their commitment to implementing leading donation practices, integrating donation as part of quality end-of-life care, and continuously working to save lives through organ and tissue donation.
“Every Ontarian has the opportunity to demonstrate their support for this life-saving work by registering their consent to organ and tissue donation at BeADonor.ca.”