THE TOP ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONOR HOSPITAL IN 2006:

WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER (WMC)

Westchester Medical Center (WMC) has consistently been one of the top organ and/or eye and tissue donor hospitals in the greater New York metropolitan area. In 2006, WMC swept all categories by ranking as the hospital with the most deceased organ donors and the hospital with the highest number of eye and tissue donors. The New York Organ Donor Network partners with more than 100 hospitals in the region to achieve its life-saving mission.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT WMC:

• 31 deceased organ donors
  
  
• An organ donation authorization (consent) rate of 81% (the average authorization rate is the region is 56%].
  
  
• 87 organs from WMC were transplanted and 75 lives saved.
  
  
• 40 eye and tissue donors
  
  

SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES FOLLOWED BY WMC:

• Ongoing training for new residents and other staff members on the importance of early referrals
  
  
• Development of clinical triggers for early referral and rapid response
  
  
• Training on how trained New York Organ Donor Network staff members approach families about donation
  
  
• The presence of a Donor Network in-house coordinator
  
  
• Pro-active participation by an Organ Donor Council that meets regularly to review cases and data – Listing of WMC Organ Donor Council Members (PDF File)
  
  
• Support from senior hospital leaders who advocate donation as a mission and culture of patient care
  
  
• Implement Huddles and the Take 5 Campaign with hospital and Donor Network staff for the declaration process, family support and approach, and medical management.
  
  
• Develop and implement protocols and best practices for donation after cardiac death
  
  

TOP HOSPITALS: Number of Deceased Donors of Solid Organs in 2006 in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area

* Donors recovered for which the New York Organ Donor Network obtained consent.