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Friday, November 04, 2005

UMC receives national recognition for its organ donor program

Fewer than 200 hospitals nationwide have achieved recognition.

University Medical Center executives announced that the hospital has recently achieved “honor roll” status for its organ donor program. This status is assigned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and fewer than 200 hospitals nationwide have achieved it.

Two years ago, UMC was asked to join the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative. The collaborative was formed following a mandate by the federal government to increase organ donation throughout the U.S. It identified 100 hospitals that had the necessary elements, such as a successful organ transplant program, to begin implementing the mandate.

UMC partnered with the Nevada Donor Network, the procurement agency for organ donation in Southern Nevada, to increase the hospital’s organ conversion rate.

“It has been a challenge to accomplish this goal. The decision to donate an organ is made at a very emotional time for families. We have worked closely with our partner to identify potential donors and refer them appropriately to increase the conversion rate,” said UMC Executive Director of Patient Services Lynn Scott, R.N.

UMC staff identifies potential donors following established criteria and refers them to the Nevada Donor Network. Procurement coordinators then work with families to educate them on the true nature of organ donation and present them with the option to be a donor. If consent is obtained, the organ donation process proceeds and the organs are placed for transplant through the United Network of Organ Sharing.

A hospital must have at least eight potential organ donors and a 75 percent conversion rate for a 12-month period to be listed on the “honor roll.” The conversion rate is determined based on the number of eligible donors versus the number of actual consents for donation. UMC achieved a 76 percent conversion rate, or 32 out of a potential 42 donors. The comparable national rate is 58 percent. The overall average for Southern Nevada hospitals was 50 percent.

More than 83,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for an organ transplant.

UMC officials say the success of the program is due to a comprehensive approach and the inclusion of not only doctors, but nurses, social workers and other staff.

Contact Information:
Cheryl Persinger , Public Relations Manager
(702) 383-2090
Cheryl.Persinger@umcsn.com
University Medical Center
1800 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102