Gift of Life Michigan Reports Record Number of Organs Recovered for Transplantation, Outstanding Strides Regarding Passed Legislation and Noteworthy Quality Collaborative Effort Success in Michigan Hospitals in 2005

February 22, 2006

Ann Arbor MI // PRNewswire // -- In 2005, Gift of Life Michigan reported 799 organs transplanted, saving a record number of lives in our state. There were 269 organ donors, just shy of 2004's total of 276. These statewide statistics parallel the national paradigm that transplantation works. Each donor has the ability to save and enhance the lives of up to 50 people. Gift of Life Michigan's success has continued in January, 2006 with a record number of 98 tissue donors, up from 93 in October, 2005. As well, in January the total of 111 organ and tissue donors equaled the record also set in October, 2005.

"There is no doubt, that on balance, the year 2005 was the best ever in the history of Gift of Life Michigan," said Thomas Beyersdorf, Executive Director of Gift of Life Michigan. "Donor volumes were strong and there were a higher number of organs recovered and transplanted per donor. This success is attributed to strong legislative movement this past year, outstanding Keystone: Gift of Life collaborative effort success on the hospital level and the overwhelming desire of professionals and citizens alike to save more lives each day in Michigan."

Additionally, since 2004, Michigan hospitals with the greatest potential for organ donation, as identified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as well as any other Michigan hospital interested in participating, have been assisted by a new quality improvement collaborative known as the Keystone: Gift of Life. This collaborative is sponsored by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality. The current recorded conversion rate for Michigan is 67%, as compared to the Region 10 rate of 63% and the national rate of 59%.

"The MHA Keystone: Gift of Life effort demonstrates the power of partnering with the experts, Gift of Life Michigan, and Michigan hospitals to increase the number of organs donated and transplanted. Michigan hospitals continue to take a national leadership role in the implementation of evidence-based best practices," said Sam R. Watson, Associate Executive Director for the Michigan Hospital Association Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality.

In 2005, various organ donation legislative initiatives gained great momentum. The Heart Insignia Law, Public Act 140-143 of 2005, will go into effect on January 1, 2007. This law will place a heart insignia on the front of the driver's license and state I.D., indicating that the resident is a registered organ and tissue donor. It permits the electronic transfer of registrant data to the donor registry, eliminating errors and increasing efficiency. Governor Granholm and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, as well as Senator Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac), Representative John Gleason (D-Flushing) and Representative Philip LaJoy (D-Canton) all contributed to this landmark success.

National research shows that states with similar heart insignia laws experienced a sharp increase in registered donors, due to the ease of the registration process at the Secretary of State's office. It's expected that by 2012, the number of registered donors in Michigan will rise from the current 8% level to 40% committed to helping save lives in Michigan.

Additionally, Public Act 176 of 2005 passed in October, will encourage Michigan county medical examiners to contact Gift of Life Michigan to determine if deaths outside the hospital are suitable for donation, similar to the current procedures in place in hospital facilities. Michigan now has the country's most extensive and favorable legislation regarding medical examiners.

To learn more about the organ and tissue donation education fund or to sign up on the Gift of Life Donor Registry, visit theGift of Life web site . You can request a Donor Registry card by contacting Gift of Life at 800-482-4881.

Source: Gift of Life Michigan

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This article posted March 11, 2006.