Kingston, ON – Oct. 19, 2023 – Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) has been recognized by Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life Network for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care.
KHSC is among only seven hospitals in the province to receive the Award of Excellence for successfully converting potential organ donors into actual donors at a minimum of 63 per cent of the time (conversion rate target) for four or more consecutive years. This is the first year KHSC has received this award and it’s the sixth year it has received the Provincial Conversion Rate Award.
KHSC’s current conversion rate is 75 per cent, which resulted in 34 organs donated for transplant, saving 31 lives, and 38 tissue donors, enhancing the lives of many others.
Another first for KHSC is being recognized with the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award for facilitating a donation discussion between Ontario Health and eligible patients and families at end-of-life at a minimum of 90 per cent of the time. KHSC’s eligible approach rate is 100 per cent.
“It’s rewarding to know that together with our patients and their families, we are helping to save and enhance lives,” says Jason Hann, KHSC’s executive vice-president of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Executive. “I’m very proud of the important contributions KHSC, our staff and physicians, have made to support organ and tissue donation, and with such compassion and integrity.”
“Kingston Health Sciences Centre has made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation in Ontario and we are proud to partner with their exemplary team of health-care professionals throughout the year to continue this vital work,” said Rebecca Cooper, vice-president, Ontario Renal Network and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario Health.
“By ensuring that the wishes of donors are realized, we honour their selflessness and the legacy they intend to leave behind. Every Ontarian has the potential to save or significantly enhance a life one day by registering at BeADonor.ca and speaking to their family about their donation decision.”
Today, there are nearly 1,400 Ontarians in need of a life-saving organ transplant and thousands more who are in need of life-restoring tissue transplants. Tragically, every three days someone will die waiting for an organ, while those awaiting valuable tissue will continue to experience a lower quality of life.
The success of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ontario hinges on the unwavering efforts of hospitals and health-care professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that Ontarians have the opportunity to help others through the gift of life. The Hospital Achievement Awards recognize this crucial work and the profound impact it can have on those waiting for an organ or tissue donation.
Register to donate and speak with your family about your wishes. One donor can save and enhance up to 80 lives through organ and tissue donation. Visit www.beadonor.ca to find out more.
