Mahaska Health Partnership Recognized by Iowa Donor Network for Work with Tissue Donation

MHP was recently recognized by the Iowa Donor Network for having a tissue donation conversion rate of 60% or higher in 2012 and 2013. Shown with the award, from left: MHP Chief Nursing Officer and Nursing Support Director Joy Patch.

MHP was recently recognized by the Iowa Donor Network for having a tissue donation conversion rate of 60% or higher in 2012 and 2013. Shown with the award, from left: MHP Chief Nursing Officer and Nursing Support Director Joy Patch.

MAHASKA COUNTY –Mahaska Health Partnership was recognized by the Iowa Donor Network for achieving a greater than 60% conversion rate for tissue donation over the last two years.

“In 1998, a law was created that requires all healthcare facilities to report deaths in the inpatient or emergency department to the Iowa Donor Network (IDN),” MHP Chief Nursing Officer Darlene Keuning explained. “Anyone who passes in our facility, other than in the hospice setting, gets reported by our House Supervisors to the IDN. After a discussion of the person’s medical history, it is then determined whether they are good candidates for donation.”

According to MHP Nursing Support Director Joy Patch, MHP does not directly participate in organ donation due to the strict circumstances that surround eligibility. “Organs must continue to receive blood and nourishment up to the moment of donation in order to be viable,” Patch explained.

“Anyone who fits this criteria has suffered an unfortunate, non-recoverable brain or spinal injury and are kept on life support until the donation process can begin. As a Level III Trauma Center, MHP is able to assist patients that gravely injured by stabilizing them for transport to a larger, metropolitan hospital.”

Patch went on to explain MHP’s role in tissue donation. “While we do not participate in organ donation, MHP is able to participate in tissue donation, something that is equally important and valuable. Up to 100 people can benefit from a single person’s decision to donate. While it is never an easy situation for families, the majority find comfort in knowing their loved one was able to help so many others.

“Once a deceased person is deemed eligible for donation, a House Supervisor talks with the family about end of life decisions and sets the stage for a discussion regarding donation. The IDN then calls the family for additional information and finalizes any arrangements. Of those families called, we have had over 60% decide to donate their loved one’s tissue to the IDN.”

Like other medical directives, the choice to donate can be made ahead of time. “We strongly encourage anyone who has specific wishes in the event of death to file their decision to donate with the Iowa Donor Network,” Patch explained. “Sharing them with your family is equally important, but having them in writing helps alleviate some of the burden on your loved ones.”

Keuning expressed appreciation for staff’s accomplishment. “The death of a loved one is a very trying time in anyone’s life,” she said. “I am proud to see our staff being recognized for the care and compassion they share with the families of patients that pass at MHP. Their role in talking with the family about donation has helped many individuals in need, which is something wonderful for all parties involved.”

The Iowa Donor Network (IDN) is a non-profit organization that operates as the primary contact for organ, tissue and eye donation services for the state of Iowa. The IDN engages in organ and tissue recovery, organ distribution, public education, hospital development and family support services. For more information regarding donation and the IDN, visit IowaDonorNetwork.org.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641.672.3240 or look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.

Posted by on Oct 31 2014. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Comments are closed

         

Search Archive

Search by Date
Search by Category
Search with Google
Log in | Copyright by Oskaloosa News