Abbott Northwestern receives Medal of Honor from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
MINNEAPOLIS 12/26/2006--Abbott Northwestern Hospital has received the U.S. Health and Human Services Medal of Honor Award for the hospital's commitment to saving lives through organ donation.
The Medal of Honor is presented to hospitals and organ procurement organizations (OPOs) nationwide who achieve life-saving organ donation rates of 75 percent or more for a sustained 12 month period. The national average donation rate in all hospitals in 2005 was 59 percent. The Medal of Honor Award is one element of the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaboratives, a national initiative to increase the number of lives saved through transplantation.
"The work of these hospitals and OPOs made possible 1,200 more life-saving and life-enhancing transplants in 2005 compared to 2004," said Elizabeth M. Duke, administrator of the Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, which houses the federal government's pro-donation activities. "Their achievements show that we can improve systems to boost donation rates and save more lives in the future."
LifeSource, the non-profit organization responsible for managing organ donation activities in the Upper Midwest, partners with Abbott Northwestern to provide the bridge between the loss of life and the gift of life. In 2005, 11 people at Abbott Northwestern Hospital generously extended the gift of life to more than 35 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplants.
"This award is a testament to our dedicated staff and physicians who work to encourage organ donation, and to the families who generously choose to give the gift of life," said Gordon McArthur, RN, assistant nurse manager of Station 20 and chair of the hospital's Organ Donation Committee. "We are very proud to receive this honor."
Minnesotans can document their wishes to be an organ and tissue donor by registering online at www.DonateLifeMN.org or checking the box on their driver's license application or renewal form. Individuals are also encouraged to talk with their loved ones about their wishes.
Organ donation facts from LifeSource:
- Over 93,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, including more than 2,200 in Minnesota.
- Each day 100 names are added to the national transplant waiting list and, sadly, 17 people die simply because not enough people say yes to donation.
- On average, about 74 people in the United States receive an organ transplant each day.
- One person can save or enhance up to sixty lives through organ and tissue donation.
About LifeSource
LifeSource is the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest. The LifeSource service area covers Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of western Wisconsin.
About Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis-based Abbott Northwestern Hospital is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a not-for-profit health care system of hospitals, clinics and other patient care services that provides exceptional care to communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin and employs more than 22,000 people. Allina Hospitals & Clinics facilities, services and jobs can be found online at www.allina.com.
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