The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is being recognized for its ongoing efforts of promoting organ and tissue donation.
The hospital was recently recognized by the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) for integrating organ and tissue donation into end-of-life care.
For the second year in a row, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) was presented with the Provincial Conversion Rate Award. The award is given to organizations that meet or exceed the TGLN's target of a 63 per cent conversion rate. The conversion rate represents the percentage of potential organ donors that went on to become actual donors. In 2018 and 2019, CKHA achieved a conversion rate of 100 per cent.
"As a designated Trillium Gift of Life Network hospital since 2012, CKHA has worked closely with TGLN to put best practices in place that support our commitment to organ and tissue donation," said Lisa Northcott, vice president, people and chief nursing executive. "We are very proud to have been recognized once again with this award and look forward to continuing our work to save and improve lives through organ and tissue donation."
In 2018/19, CKHA is among 30 hospitals and four community partners to be recognized for outstanding efforts to integrate donation into quality end-of-life care.
"Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is an outstanding example of how applying leading donation practices can save lives," said Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO of the Trillium Gift of Life Network. "The award is a reflection of the culture of donation established at CKHA and a reminder of the work that we still need to do in other communities across Ontario. We will not be complacent."
According to a press release by CKHA, there are currently over 1,500 people in Ontario on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant. While the hospital is getting recognized for their efforts in organ and tissue donation, so are Chatham-Kent residents. The provincial average of registered organ donors is 33 per cent, while Chatham-Kent's average is 47 per cent, ranking 52 out of 170 communities in Ontario.
