Riverside Medical Center’s 2011 efforts to provide families with donation options and information have been recognized by the American Tissue Services Foundation (ATSF).
According to ATSF Education and Development Manager Jeanette Potts, Riverside Medical Center achieved a 33-percent tissue donation rate in 2011. This means that tissue was recovered on 33 percent of the medical center’s eligible donors, resulting in six tissue donors in 2011. On average one donor can help 50-75 people, which means that 300 – 450 people will be helped because of Riverside Medical Center’s work in donation and with donor families.
Gifts of tissue-which include bone, skin, heart valves, connective tissue and veins-are used in more than 1 million surgeries routinely performed each year in the United States.
“Through its dedication and focus on increasing donation, Riverside Medical Center has made a tremendous difference in the lives of others,” Potts says. “Donated tissue gifts save lives, as well as increase strength, mobility and independence for many, many patients.”
Craig Kantos, CEO at Riverside Medical Center notes “Approaching families during this difficult time is something that we take very seriously and have worked diligently with our nurses to assure that they have the skills needed to talk with families about this topic.”
American Tissue Services Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for families and helping them heal from the death of their loved ones. Accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, ATSF provides a compassionate and knowledgeable team of education, recovery and quality systems professionals. The organization supports healthcare agencies, coroners, medical examiners and funeral professionals through donation education and training. ATSF also partners with other agencies dedicated to the innovative use of tissue in medical care and research. ATSF may be accessed online at www.atsfoundation.org.