Windsor Regional Hospital was recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network) for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2022/23.

In total, Windsor Regional Hospital was presented with three awards:

• Hospital Achievement Award – Provincial Conversion Rate (7th year) reaching a conversion rate that meets or exceeds the target of 63 percent set by Ontario Health (TGLN). The conversion rate is the percentage of potential organ donors (patients who die in a hospital setting and are deemed medically suitable for donation) who went on to become actual donors.
• Hospital Achievement Award – Provincial Eligible Approach Rate (3rd year) for meeting or exceeding the eligible approach rate target of 90% set by Ontario Health (TGLN). This award recognizes hospitals for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients/families of patients at end of life.
• Award of Excellence (4th year) – meeting or exceeding the provincial target for conversion rate for four or more consecutive years, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the implementation of donation leading practices.

Windsor Regional Hospital is one of 44 hospitals across the province to be awarded a 2022/23 Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network) Hospital Achievement Award.

“Windsor Regional Hospital has made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation in Ontario and we are proud to partner with their exemplary team of healthcare 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.”

2022-2023 saw Windsor Regional Hospital have 13 organ donors which resulted in 43 organs donated for transplant and saved the lives of 37 individuals. A further 39 tissue donors enhanced the lives of many.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team. From OR (Operating Room), PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit), Emergency Department and Critical Care Units,” says Karen Riddell, Chief Nursing Executive at Windsor Regional Hospital.  “Thank you for all that you do to ensure that we follow evidence based practices for organ and tissue donation and thank you to our community for supporting organ and tissue donation awareness for Windsor-Essex County.”

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 healthcare 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.

DID YOU KNOW? One donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance more than 75 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.