Southlake is being recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network [TGLN]) with the 2023/24 Conversion Rate Award for its outstanding commitment to organ and tissue donation as part of quality end-of-life care. The Conversion Rate Award is presented to hospitals that meet or exceeding the target conversion rate of 63 per cent set by Ontario Health (TGLN). Since 2013, Southlake has been presented with five hospital achievement awards from Ontario Health (TGLN), including five Conversation Rate Awards.
“We are incredibly proud of Southlake’s legacy as a leader in organ and tissue donation,” said Alyson McQueen, Director, Medicine Programs and ICU. “This achievement year’s award reflects the dedication of our entire organization, from staff on inpatient units, critical care and surgery, to our support and environmental services teams. Their efforts are essential in providing leading edge care to our community.”
In the 2023 fiscal year, Southlake made a tremendous impact by saving 19 lives through organ donation. The organization helped recover and transplant 10 kidneys, three sets of lungs, four livers, three hearts, one pancreas and one small bowel. Southlake also enhanced countless lives through tissue donation, recovering 38 eyes, two skins, one heart valves and two bones.
“Each case of organ donation carries a deep emotional weight because it comes from the loss of a life,” shared Terence Ip, MD, Chief of Anesthesiology and Physician Lead for Organ Donation at Southlake. “We honour every donor with a moment of silence in the operating room, acknowledging their legacy and the lives their donation will transform.”
Today, there are more than 1,400 Ontarians in need of a life-saving organ transplant and thousands more in need of life-restoring tissue transplants. Tragically, every three days someone dies waiting for an organ, while those awaiting valuable tissues will continue to suffer a lower quality of life. Last year the selfless generosity of 380 deceased donors resulted in 1,075 organ transplants, while 1,900 tissue donors significantly improved the lives of thousands of people in Ontario.
The success of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ontario hinges on the unwavering efforts of hospitals and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that Ontarians have the opportunity to help others through the gift of life. The Hospital Achievement Awards, including the Conversion Rate Award, recognize this crucial work and the profound impact it can have on those waiting for an organ or tissue donation.
DID YOU KNOW? One donor can save and enhance up to 80 lives through organ and tissue donation. Register to donate and speak with your family about your wishes. Visit www.beadonor.ca to find out more.
