NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH GENERAL HOSPITAL
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Today, Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) presented Guelph General Hospital (GGH) with the Hospital Achievement Award – Provincial Conversion Rate, for its dedication to helping improve organ and tissue donation in Ontario and saving lives through transplantation.
The award is given to given to hospitals that have met or exceeded the target of a 67 percent Conversion Rate in 2014/15.
The Conversion Rate is the percentage of actual organs donors from the total number of potentially eligible organ donors identified upon deceased health record review.
Key factors that influence Conversion Rate are the notification of potential organ donors and working with TGLN to promote optimal approach planning.
“Our exceptional team in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been the driver behind our organ donation success,” says Lisa Buttazzoni, director of GGH’s ICU. “The skilled ability of our physicians, nurses and Respiratory Therapists to care for patients who are donating organs increases the likelihood of a successful implantation.
“Through collaboration with TGLN and early identification of potential organ donors we have impacted several lives throughout our province. I am very proud to be part of this exceptional team that saves lives within the Guelph community and beyond.”
In 2014/15, GGH had three organ donors and 15 eye donors resulting in four life-saving transplants including two kidney transplants and two liver transplants. In addition, the sight of up to 30 individuals was restored and up to 75 more individuals received the gift of multi-tissue from 23 tissue donors.
GGH’s achievements contributed to a record breaking year for organ donations in the province.
“We are proud to acknowledge the important contributions of our hospital partners. The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on their hard work and dedication,” said Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO at Trillium Gift of Life Network. “Together, we work to make sure families are given the opportunity to honour their loved ones wishes and save lives through organ and tissue donation.”
There are 1,600 people in Ontario waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
Register your consent for organ and tissue donation at BeADonor.ca and talk to your family about your wishes.
As of December 31, 2015, the registration rate for Guelph is 36 percent which is 6 percent higher than the provincial average.
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