Published On: October 28, 2018
St. Thomas, ON – St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) was recognized by Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care.
STEGH was presented with the Provincial Conversion Rate Award
“We are so proud of our hospital and all the staff that contribute to its success,” says Elisa Ilic Manager of Intensive Care Unit and Respiratory Therapy.
STEGH is one of 29 hospitals and partners to be awarded a 2017/18 Trillium Gift of Life Network Hospital Award.
“We are proud to acknowledge the important contributions of our hospital partners because the success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on their hard work and dedication,” says Ronnie Gavsie President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “This award reflects the continued commitment of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital to implement donation best practices and offer families the opportunity to make a lifesaving choice.”
Today, more than 1,500 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. While the majority of Canadians support donation, only 33 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
Some people believe that their age or medical condition prevents them from being a donor. In actuality, age does not preclude someone from becoming a donor, and each potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability. Others may not have registered under the misguided assumption that doctors won’t work hard to save a life if that patient is a registered donor, but in fact, the first priority is always to save a life. Donation is only considered after all life-saving efforts are exhausted, there is no chance of recovery, and the family accepts the diagnosis of death.
St. Thomas exceeds the province with a registration rate of 43 per cent, ranking 85 out of 170 communities in Ontario. Visit https://beadonor.ca/campaign/stegh to register or find out more.