MultiCare, Mary Bridge recognized for organ and tissue donation efforts
Three MultiCare hospitals and one doctor were recognized March 30 for their efforts in tissue and organ donation in 2017 by LifeCenter Northwest, an organization that facilitates organ, eye and tissue donations across the Northwest and Alaska.
Organ Donation Referral Achievement Award: Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital was recognized for their superior performance in timely organ donation referrals for reaching a referral rate of 90 percent. Mary Bridge is one of six hospitals in LifeCenter Northwest’s four-state service area to receive an Organ Donation Referral Achievement Award.
Donation Champion Award: Maureen Smith, MD, received the Donation Champion Award for commitment to improving donation outcomes and culture through her actions, time and energy.
Smith was a hospital leader on a remarkable organ donation case which marked a milestone in LifeCenter Northwest history in 2017. She was the primary physician on the first organ donation case completed entirely in the emergency department. Not only did she make the initial referral call herself, she also stayed in direct communication with LifeCenter Northwest staff during the entire donation process and continued medical management while LifeCenter Northwest staff worked toward the recovery.
Organ Donation Achievement Award and Tissue Donation Referral Achievement Award: MultiCare Deaconess Hospital was recognized as one of 15 hospitals in the four-state service area to receive the Organ Donation Achievement Award, presented to hospitals with a 75 percent donation rate. This rate is achieved through making timely referral calls, collaboration on potential donation cases with LifeCenter Northwest and maintaining the opportunity for donation.
Deaconess also received the Tissue Donation Referral Achievement Award, which is presented to hospitals for reaching or exceeding a referral rate of 95 percent. Timely referrals have a significant impact on donation outcomes. One of the most important steps in donation is recognizing that a patient has met referral criteria and making the referral call in a timely manner.
Tissue Donation Referral Achievement Award: MultiCare Covington Medical Center was recognized for superior performance in tissue donation for reaching or exceeding a referral rate of 95 percent. MultiCare Covington Medical Center is one of 26 hospitals in a four-state service area to receive the Tissue Donation Referral Achievement Award.
LifeCenter Northwest is the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington — the largest geographic donation service area in the United States. For more information, please visit www.lcnw.org.
