Spring 2012
CONNECTIONS
A Newsletter for the Communities We Serve.
Hoping for a
Second Chance
A look at the transplant waitlist
Page 4
Remembering
Loved Ones
Page 9
¡Tu tiene el
poder de salva
vidas!
Page 8
1730 Twin Springs Road, Ste. 200 • Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone 410.242.7000 • 800.641.HERO • Fax 410.242.1871
www.TheLLF.org
Angel Cregger,
heart transplant candidate
Spring 2012
Contents
One More Day ..................................................... 2
Coming Soon to a Classroom Near You ...... 3
2011 Donate Life GospelFest ........................ 3
Hoping for a Second Chance ........................ 4
Living Donation ................................................. 5
Direct Donation ................................................. 5
20 Million in 2012 .............................................. 6
A New Look Online ............................................. 6
Donate Life Maryland Update ...................... 7
Spanish Article .................................................... 8
Remembering Loved Ones ............................ 9
A Meeting Of Perfect Strangers ................... 9
Bravo Awards .................................................... 10
Optimizing Pre-Donor Management ....... 10
Calendar of Events ......................... Back Cover
Keep in touch
with The LLF
www.facebook.com/TheLLF
www.twitter.com/TheLLF
www.livinglegacymd.wordpress.com
One More Day!
Donate Life Float in the Rose
Parade carried message of hope
and inspiration.
T
he Living Legacy Foundation honored one of its
many donors, Tyrone Bowie, Jr. on the 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade
Float in Pasadena, California. The float riders and floragraph honorees on
Donate Life America’s float, One More Day!, represented millions of people
touched by organ and tissue donation.
Tyrone, a 2000 graduate of the Gilman School, was affectionately known
as “Babyboy” to everyone who knew and loved him. He was a very
intellectual person, who loved history and had a great heart. Family and
friends were the most important aspects of Tyrone’s life and his family
loved him unconditionally. At 26, Tyrone became the proud father of a
daughter, Ty’Shae Marie Bowie.
Bowie’s photograph was transformed into a floragraph, which came to
life on the Donate Life America’s float. “We were so amazed. It looked just
like him and it is one of our favorite pictures,” commented Yvette BowieJohnson, Tyrone’s mother, when she saw the final floragraph of Tyrone.
“As families bring these floragraphs to life, they honor the legacy of their
loved ones and all donors: gifts that offer life, hope and health to people
in need,” noted Jennifer Gelman, director of Professional Education at The
Living Legacy Foundation.
Tyrone personally chose to become an organ donor by designating
himself when he obtained his driver’s license. His family learned of his
decision to help others in September 2008, when Tyrone was tragically
killed in Baltimore. His selfless gesture helped save the lives of four
individuals whom he had never met. His mother is now a huge advocate
for donation, “Tyrone will save even more people now because his family
members are designated organ donors.”
The Donate Life float added meaningful dimension to the 2012 Rose
parade theme, Just Imagine. “The One More Day! float carries a message
of hope and inspiration, just like each and every organ, eye, and tissue
donor family who creates a story of courage, compassion, hope and
renewal,” said Charlie Alexander, president and CEO of The Living Legacy
Foundation.
2
Connections
•
Spring 2012
Coming Soon to a
Classroom Near You...
T
he Living Legacy Foundation has developed a High School
Educator's Toolkit to help share organ and tissue donation
information with Maryland students. The toolkit includes
information for teachers, sample lesson plans, reproducible
materials and supplemental multimedia resources.
Organ and
ation
Tissue Don
uide
lassroom G
C
ol Heroes
High Scho
The Living Legacy
Foundation believes
allowing students the
opportunity to learn
the facts and ask about
donation will help dispel
common myths while also
provide them with enough
information to make an
informed donation decision.
The LLF gives about 60
donation presentations
at Maryland high schools
each year. Staff or a trained
volunteer from The LLF are
www.TheLLF.org
3 about
available to speak
donation in schools, as
well as other public settings, completely free of charge. Some
examples of appropriate forums in which we are available to
speak include, but are not limited to:
•
High school and college classes
Speakers are willing to speak either in individual classes or in
an assembly setting. It is not uncommon for staff to speak to
multiple classes in one day, so don't hesitate to ask!
•
Student organization meetings
•
Teacher's conferences
•
PTA meetings
•
Driver's education classes
•
Staff meetings
To request to have a free copy of the High School Educator's
Toolkit mailed to you, or schedule a presentation, contact
Lauren Muskauski, communications@thellf.org, 410-242-7000.
2011 Donate Life
GospelFest
“There’s a Lifting of Hands,” a song by gospel
group Israel Breed, speaks about “liftin' of the
hearts, there's a liftin' of the eyes that are beyond the
hills to where our help comes from.” This is surely
what happened at the first annual Donate Life
GospelFest held on November 12, 2011 at New
Psalmist Baptist Church. Sponsored by Donate
Life Maryland and The Living Legacy Foundation.
This capstone event celebrated National Donor
Sabbath, an annual interfaith observance to raise
awareness for the urgent need for organ, eye and
tissue donors.
Gospel hip hop artist and Baltimore native
Manuel Ringgold kicked off the evening’s
performances by asking the audience to
“give hope and care for others by registering
to become an organ donor.” Additional
performances by the New Psalmist Baptist Church
Choir, St. John’s AME Church – Unity Choir, DJ
Fella & Anointed Voices and Sheldon Brown,
entertained guests with graceful voices, jamming
performances, and soulful renditions of classic
spirituals tied into the powerful message of
giving the gift of life.
Nearly 300 guests came together for an evening
filled with music, praise and testimonials, to
celebrate life and to give thanks for those who
selflessly said “yes” to donation in order to help
others in need of a life saving transplant.
If you are interested in learning more about The
Living Legacy Foundation’s outreach efforts in
the Faith community, or participating in next
year’s Donate Life GospelFest, please contact
Latrice Price at 410-242-7000.
GospeLFest
Give thanks. Give life.
Hoping for a Second Chance
A look at the transplant waitlist
Written by: Lauren Miller, Hospital Services Coordinator
A
s a 34-year-old mother of a teenage
son, the last thing Angel Cregger of
Frederick, ever expected was to suffer
a massive heart attack. Four and a half
years later, Angel is one of more than
2,000 people
waiting for an
organ transplant
locally and
one of more
than 112,000
nationally.
Angel’s heart
attack was a
result of her
advanced stage
of heart disease,
which had gone
undetected.
The heart
attack caused
major damage
to her heart
and ultimately
Angel Cregger waits for the phone
gave her
call informing her a heart is
cardiomyopathy,
available for transplant.
the deterioration
of the myocardium, or heart muscle. “I
had experienced some heart palpitations
about six months prior to my heart attack
but otherwise I felt completely healthy,”
describes Angel. A portion of Angel’s
heart muscle actually died during the
attack.
Across the Bay Bridge, another mother’s
name is also on the organ transplant
waiting list. Christina Merritt of Salisbury,
and a mother of four has been on the
waiting list since June 2010. She was
diagnosed eight years ago with primary
biliary cirrhosis, an autoimmune disease
of the liver.
To be considered a possible transplant
candidate is a lengthy and in-depth
process requiring patience, support,
and most of all hope. The University of
Maryland Medical Center and The Johns
Hopkins Hospital have robust programs
for nearly every transplantable organ.
For Angel, it took approximately one year
from when her heart attack occurred
to when her name was placed on the
waiting list for a heart.
In most cases, the process typically
begins with an organ disease being
identified by a patient’s primary care
physician. The patient will then be
referred to a specialist who determines
if organ transplantation is a treatment
option. Once the organ begins to
lose function, as in both Angel and
Christina’s cases, the specialist will refer
the patient to a transplant center for a
comprehensive evaluation.
Matthew Cooper, MD, director of kidney transplantation at the
University of Maryland Medical Center”
Dr. Matthew Cooper, director of kidney
transplantation at the University of
Maryland Medical Center states, “our
policy is to try and ensure patients are
seen as quickly as possible for evaluation.
We understand how very sick these
patients are when they come to us
and we develop a lifelong relationship
with each of them through the wait
list process, transplantation surgery,
recovery and as they celebrate each
anniversary.”
In addition to meeting with the
transplant surgeons and specialists,
patients are also scheduled to meet
with a nutritionist, social worker, and
financial advisor. Financing a transplant
can be extremely daunting as the costs
of preliminary testing, surgery, and
post-operative recovery can quickly
add up. The social worker and financial
advisor will help the patient with the
process and the budget, working with
the insurance companies and helping to
find supplemental insurance if needed.
“We want to make sure the patient is
able to afford not only the surgery but
ultimately to be able to take good care
of his or her transplant,” says Brigitte
Sullivan, administrative director for the
Comprehensive Transplant Center at The
Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The clinical criteria for being added to the
wait list varies by organ and by transplant
center. The United Network for Organ
Sharing (UNOS) is the private, non-profit
organization that manages the nation's
organ transplant system under contract
with the federal government. UNOS
manages the national transplant waiting
list by matching donors to recipients.
The organization maintains a centralized
computer network, linking all organ
procurement organizations, such as The
Living Legacy Foundation, and transplant
centers.
In addition to clinical criteria, screenings
for abnormalities and diseases, blood
type, age, body mass index, and
compliance and social support are also
all considered. Patients on the waiting
list are encouraged to bring a support
system throughout the process. “A
good family support system is a key
element we consider when evaluating a
patient,” says Ms. Sullivan. “It is absolutely
necessary for an organ recipient to
have a dedicated caretaker during their
recovery.”
Story Continued on page 5
4
Connections
•
Spring 2012
Living Donation
T
Story Continued from page 4
“My husband has been
my biggest support.
You cannot get through
the transplant process
without your spouse or
other family member
becoming your nurse
and caretaker,” says
Angel.
oday, living organ donation is a viable option for many
transplant patients.
By offering a kidney, or portion of the liver, or lung, living
donors offer their loved one or friend an alternative to
waiting on the national transplant waiting list for an organ
from a deceased donor.
Christina Merritt and her son, who donated a
portion of his liver to her
Christina also adds, “My
family gives me strength
each day and are an enormous support. All of my friends,
loved ones, and the Salisbury community as a whole, have
really reached out offering help and encouragement.”
Angel and Christina describe the most challenging part of
being on the transplant wait list as the mental and physical
stress it takes on them and their families. Angel currently
lives on a heart pump which consists of ten pounds
worth of equipment in a backpack. Her life is completely
structured around this and she has been forced to modify
her everyday activities, including sleeping, while her
device must be plugged into a wall. She counts everday
as a blessing and holds out hope for the day when she
receives the gift of life and her own life is forever changed
in more ways than she can imagine.
“An organ transplant is an incredible gift and there is an
enormous shortage. By this time tomorrow approximately
110 people will be added to the national waiting list,”
says Dr. Cooper. “We, at the transplant centers, have the
very big responsibility of making the smartest decisions
possible of who receives an organ. Our recipients must be
responsible and appreciative of this amazing and selfless
gift of life.”
Christina, who has been in and out of the hospital
throughout the past year, recently discovered that she is
a unique candidate for a living liver donation. Her oldest
son graciously volunteered to donate half of his liver to the
woman who gave him life. He is her same blood type and
after undergoing all the necessary tests was found to be a
perfect match. On February 21, 2012, at the University of
Maryland Medical Center, a portion of Christina’s son’s liver
was successfully transplanted into Christina’s failing body.
Both mother and son are currently back home in Salisbury
recuperating and regaining their strength. A few days after
the transplant surgery, Christina exclaimed, “All of these
aches and pains will pass; I am just glad to be alive!”
Life waiting for an organ transplant can be a challenge
but Maryland’s two transplant centers work closely with
patients and their families through the process, educating
each step of the way. The next time you find yourself
waiting in line at the MVA, think about Angel and Christina
and the 112,000 people who are waiting for a second
chance at life and make the decision to become an organ,
eye and tissue donor.
If you are interested in learning more about living
donation, please contact the two transplant centers serving
Maryland, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of
Maryland Medical Center.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Comprehensive Transplant Center
Kidney / Pancreas Transplant Program Office
720 Rutland Avenue, Turner 36
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-614-9345
University of Maryland Medical Center
Transplant Program Office
University of Maryland Medical System
29 S. Greene Street, Room 200
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-328-5408
Direct Donation
Many people are familiar with the inspiring stories found
in the media about family members or friends donating
an organ to someone awaiting a life saving transplant.
In the transplant community, donating an organ to a
specific recipient is known as a directed donation. Directed
donations from living donors are often driven by an
emotional connection to the intended recipient. In the
case of Christina Merritt (see feature story, “Waiting for a
second chance”), the hope is that she will be able to receive
a directed donation from her son as a living donor.
There is another type of directed donation which people
are less familiar with: directed donation from a deceased
donor. This occurs when the family of a deceased organ
donor directs a gift to a specific recipient. The intended
recipient might be a family member, friend, or colleague.
Once the donor family expresses their intention to direct
a gift to a specific individual, if that individual is listed and
ready to accept a transplant, testing begins to see if the
donor is a match. Though often the donor is not a match,
intended recipients remain deeply appreciative of the
beautiful intentions that prompt these directed donations.
The timing, rarity, and complexity of a successful directed
donation, be it from a living or deceased donor, make these
transplants especially poignant.
www.TheLLF.org
5
A New Look Online
In March, The Living Legacy Foundation proudly unveiled a new
and improved update to the organization’s website, www.thellf.org.
The new design showcases Maryland's organ and tissue donors and
their families along with transplant recipients, and information on
how to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Donate Life America
Launches Campaign to
Register Designated Donors
D
onate Life America, the national
organization promoting organ, eye and tissue
donation, is launching a bold new initiative to
register 20 million people in 2012 on their state
donor registries through the country.
“The website now allows us the ability to provide better
information to our clinical partners, more effectively engage with
donor families and better educate the public about the organ and
tissue donation process,” comments Jennifer Gelman, director of
Professional Education for The Living Legacy Foundation.
The site also includes an interactive calendar of events, which
allows those interested to save an event to their personal calendar
or share the event with others, as well as direct links to The LLF’s
Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel.
Check out The LLF online today at www.thellf.org.
“Donate Life celebrated 100 million registered
donors in 2011, which means 42 percent of
individuals age 18 and older are registered as
organ, eye and tissue donors,” says David Fleming,
President and CEO of Donate Life America. “With
the majority of individuals in the United States
wishing to be organ, eye and tissue donors, the
biggest challenge to meeting our goal of 20
million will be getting people to take action and
register today as an organ, eye and tissue donor.”
The year-long “20 Million in 2012” campaign
works to register donors on state registries
and will include many events geared to raise
awareness and bring attention to donation.
The campaign also features Donate Life America’s
“I am HOPE” story project, featuring 365
incredibly powerful stories of people personally
touched by organ, eye and tissue donation. Each
Donate Life State Team will have one week of
2012 to promote stories of hope from their state
and disseminate them through the Facebook
pages and Web sites of Donate Life America and
its partners.
Be on the lookout for Maryland’s featured stories
for the “I am HOPE” project during the week of
April 14 -21 on
www.facebook.com/donatelifemaryland.
To register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, or
for more information about donation, visit
www.donatelifemaryland.org.
5K
Family Fun Run
L iv
e G
i ve  R
un
Save the Date
2012 Donate Life Family Fun Run
September 22, 2012
Camden Yards Sports Complex
Registration will open summer of 2012.
For more information, log on to www.thellf.org
6
Connections
•
Spring 2012
Update
H
ow did you register to become an organ donor? Chances
are you designated at the Motor Vehicle Administration
(MVA) when obtaining or renewing your driver’s license or
state identification card. In Maryland, 98 percent of all donor
designations occur at the MVA which is why staff education
and customer outreach is an important role of our Professional
Education Department.
With the MVA conducting approximately 1.1 million drivers’
license and state ID transactions per year, LLF and Donate Life
Maryland’s (DLMD) goal is to ensure every customer is provided
the opportunity to designate at the MVA. Agents ask all
customers ages 16 and older about donor designation during
any drivers’ license or state identification transaction. Our job
is to educate agents and customers to better understand the
process and the decision to become a donor.
MVA and agents play a key part in
the donor designation process.
One of our best educational resources is our volunteers. MVA
staff members benefit from meeting our volunteers through
speaking engagements and outreach tables. Hearing donor
families speak about the heroic decision of their loved one to
donate and meeting Marylanders who have received the gift
of a transplant gives true meaning to the MVA’s role in the
donation process.
Working with Donate Life Maryland, MVA agents gain a better
understanding of the importance of their role in customers’
donor designation. We offer annual training incentives and
awards to branches reaching donor designation and new
registrant goals. These goals create a fun sense of competition
among MVA employees as everyone strives for their branch to
win!
In 2011, we celebrated many branch successes including the
Annapolis and Elkton MVA branches having the highest donor
designation rates of 58 percent for the year. Although everyone
enjoys celebrating their branch performance, nothing is more
rewarding than being part of this life saving mission.
Our dedicated staff member works directly
with the MVA management to ensure
formal education is available to all MVA
employees. In addition to regular education
presentations, a DLMD staff member visits
all MVA branches routinely to maintain
informational brochure inventory, display
promotional materials, and serve as a resource
for staff and customers.
www.TheLLF.org
7
¡Tú tienes el poder de salva vidas!
E
n estos momentos cientos de miles de personas necesitan trasplantes de órganos, córneas
y tejidos para devolverles sus vidas, movimiento y salud. De esas personas, que exceden de
112,000, 18,879 son hispanas en espera de un trasplante de órgano que les salve la vida. A menos
que más personas se registren para ser donantes, el número de personas de todas las razas, seguirá creciendo en la lista de espera. Tomar la decisión de convertirse en donante de un órgano,
ojos y tejidos le dará esperanzas a los miles que siguen esperando. Desafortunadamente, cada 10
minutos se agrega un nombre más a lista de espera y 18 personas mueren cada día debido a la
falta de órganos y tejidos. Las estadísticas demuestran que hispanos, como otras minorías, tienen
mejor resultados de un trasplante cuando el donante es del mismo origen étnico.
Maryland
¡Ud. puede hacer toda la diferencia!
Ivar Ujueta nacido en Panamá cuenta que el se hico
donante “
Para poder ayudar a familias y personas que necesiten
órganos y tejido y hacer diferencia en la comunidad”. El explica que “uno nunca sabe si alguien en su familia necesitara el regalo de vida.” Ivar piensa que hay falta de educación
en la comunidad Hispana sobre la donación de órganos y
tejido pero empuja a la comunidad Hispana que se infórme
y se inscríbase para poder ayudar a salvar vidas.
Ivar Ujueta, Panama, Anne Arundle County
Reya Dunivant de origen mexicana piensa que la donación
de órganos y tejidos es la última oportunidad de hacer
algo por la humanidad y no cuesta nada. Ella declara que
la muerte es una cosa que la mejoría de la gente no quiere
pensar pero es algo que suceded y puede salir algo positivo en ayudar a otras persona sobrevivir. Reyna expresa
que la mejoría de personas no tienen educación en el proceso de donar sus órganos y tejidos. “Vivimos día a día y no
pensamos en el futuro. Tenemos que educarnos y hablar
con nuestras familias sobre este tema tan importante.”
Reyna Dunivant, Mexicana, Harford County
Como se Puede Donar
Ahora hay dos maneras de registrar su decisión de Salvar Vidas:
1)
En la Administración de vehículos de Maryland (MVA) cuando obtenga o renueva su licencia de manejar o
tarjeta de identidad.
2)
Por internet en el Registro de Donación Done Vida de Maryland, donatelifemaryland.com
¡Comparta sus deseos con su familia!
Obtenga información sobre la donación de órganos y tejidos. Visite la página de Internet en español
www.donevida.org.
8
Connections
•
Spring 2012
A Meeting of Perfect Strangers
By: Litsa Williams
Manager, Family Services
A
t the beginning of June 2010 I did not know Jim or Marla
Youkers. I am sure they never imagined they would soon be
facing the loss that would bring them to know The Living Legacy
Foundation. In mid-June 2010, Bethany, their happy, healthy 23
year old daughter, suffered an aneurysm that would take her life.
Just after learning Bethany was brain dead, Dennis Kleppin,
The LLF In-House Coordinator for the hospital, spoke with
the Youkers and offered the opportunity to share life through
organ donation. When I arrived at
the hospital to meet the family, I
remember Dennis telling me how
amazed he was by this family. He
told me how Bethany's parents
immediately and unwaveringly
knew organ donation was the final
act Bethany would have wanted.
Through their pain and grief, the
Youkers were able to think of the
suffering of perfect strangers and
supported Bethany’s choice to give
the gift of life.
In August of 2011, I took a call from
a woman named Edna Carver. She
was a heart recipient and she wanted to write to her donor
family. Like so many recipients, she shared her fears of writing.
How could she say thank you for such a gift? She shared with
me how her deep faith had carried her through her illness,
transplant, and recovery.
It wasn't until I looked up Edna’s case that I learned who she was.
By chance, I had taken a call from one of the “perfect strangers”
touched by Bethany’s gift. As I thought of Edna’s profound
faith, it reminded me of the immense faith I saw in the Youkers
family that night at the hospital; faith that led them to support
Bethany’s selfless wish to donate.
On January 3, 2012, sitting around a table at The Living Legacy
Foundation office, it was hard to fathom everything that
intersected to bring these five people together. Illness, death,
hope, sacrifice, a beautiful 23 year old girl with a compassionate
spirit, and a deep and inspiring faith in the will of God. Jim and
Marla shared pictures of Bethany
and her sister, Angela. Edna, her
husband, and son shared pictures of
Edna’s children and grandchildren.
They shared stories of the best
and worst moments in their lives:
the moments that brought them
together through Bethany’s
tremendous gift. For the first time
since that tragic day in June of 2010,
Marla was able to feel her daughter’s
heartbeat, now in the chest of Edna
Carver.
There are moments in life that we
witness to things of which we feel
undeserving. This was one of those moments. I was humbled to
witness the infinite gratitude of Edna and her family; gratitude
that was a product of the infinite generosity and compassion
I witnessed in the Youkers family more than a year and a half
before. Like so many recipients, I wonder now how to say thank
you for allowing us, the staff of the Living Legacy Foundation, to
be part of something so extraordinary.
Remembering Loved Ones
Each donor family has a unique story to tell about their loved one,
their loss, and a legacy created through courageous and selfless
choices. Each time this story is told their loved one is honored
and remembered, and the cause of organ and tissue donation is
furthered.
These stories extend the impact of your loved ones donation far
beyond their recipients to every family member, bus driver, school
teacher, or friend who hears it and thinks…this is good. Most
importantly your loved one’s story allows you and those who knew
them to honor, cherish, and celebrate their memory. We encourage
you to share your story anywhere you are comfortable. The smallest
conversation with a friend or family member can bring comfort and
be a source of inspiration.
We are inspired by the countless ways donor families come together
to remember their loved ones. From sharing stories at small
gatherings of friends and family, to large memorial events, we are
always amazed at the wonderful ways you are remembering those
you love while raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.
The Living Legacy Foundation’s Family Services and Community
Outreach teams have assisted many donor families in sharing
their stories in their communities. We can do as little as providing
resources on donation, donor bracelets, and information on the
donor registry, or as much as setting up a booth at your event.
Family Services Coordinators are also always available to assist
families with crafting their story should they desire assistance.
Are you having an event where you would like to include
information about organ and tissue donation? We are happy to
help! Or have you had a memorial event that you would like to share
in a future newsletter? Is there another way you are remembering
your loved one's legacy that you would allow us to highlight? If so
please contact Litsa Williams at 410-242-7000 ext 2080 or by email at
lwilliams@thellf.org
www.TheLLF.org
9
Optimizing Pre-Donor
Management With The Use
Of CBIGS
Written by: Melanie Sumlin, RN Senior Organ Recovery
Coordinator & Jessica Hay, RN, BSN, MSN, CCSN
Organ Recovery Coordinator
T
he Living Legacy Foundation works collaboratively with hospital partners
to promote the ownership of the organ, eye, and tissue donation process. The
LLF provides hospitals the resources necessary to ensure all staff members are
educated in current best practices of donation and transplantation. Working
together, hospital partners and The LLF provide families the opportunity to discuss
donation, honor donors’ wishes, and assure that every gift of life is maximized to its
full potential.
The Bravo Award is presented to hospital
and community partners in recognition
of their commitment to organ, eye and
tissue donation. The following is the list of
recipients of Bravo Awards in the fourth
quarter of 2011.
It has been proven through a variety of case studies that pre-donor management
is optimized when specific clinical indicator goals are achieved. The Catastrophic
Brain Injury Guidelines (CBIGS) are patient management guidelines and a donation
“best practice” for increasing the number of potential donors as well as increasing
the number of organs transplanted. Medical staff implemented this standard of
care for all patients with neurologically-devastating injuries, regardless of LLF
involvement, to avoid instability prior to and during brain death and to preserve
the opportunity for donation. The CBIGS, which are similar to the management of
any ICU patient, are outlined below:
General Parameters:
•
RECIPIENT
ORGANIZATION
Cathy Pollack
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Debbie Kratt
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Tracy May
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Dr. Spyridon Gkizas
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Dr. Jeff Trost
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Kimberly Myers
Merritt Properties
Nancy Godoy
Merritt Properties
Milo Frawley, CRNP
University of Maryland
Medical Center
•
•
•
•
•
Maintain Temp between 36-37.5 C (96.899.5 F)
o Warming/Cooling blanket PRN
Maintain PaO2>100, SPO2>99%, pH 7.357.45
o Titrate Peep 5-8mmHg, FiO2, and Rate
o Suction/turn q 2 hrs
o Respiratory treatments to prevent
bronchospasm
Maintain UOP 100cc/hr
o If UOP > 300ml/hr x 2 hrs order a
specific gravity and osmolality
o It pt is in DI (spec grav <1.005) treat with
Vasopressin @ 0.5-2.5 u/hr
Maintain Hgb >8g/dl and Hct >25%
Maintain INR < 1.5
o Consider Vit K if >1.7
Maintain normal electrolytes:
o Na 135-155 mEql/L
o K 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
o Mg 1.8-2.4 mEq/L
o Phos 2.0-4.5 mg/dL
o Glucose 80-180 mg/dL
•
•
Maintain CVP 6-12
Maintain SBP> 100mmHg and MAP>
60mmHg
o 0.9% NS 500cc IV over 30 minutes
o Hespan 500cc IV over 30 minutes
o Dopamine 800mg/250ml and titrate
to effect (utilize fluid boluses prior to
vasopressor implementation)
o Albumin 5% 250ml IV over 1 hour
Labs/Tests:
•
CBC, CMP, PT, PTT INR, Mg, Phos, ion
Ca, LFTs, lactate, CPK, CKMB, Troponin,
Amylase, Lipase, Urine specific gravity, and
ABG every 12 hours
Additional Considerations:
•
•
Social Work Consult
Chaplain/Clergy Consult
The Clinical Department at The LLF strives to work with all hospital staff in an effort
to maintain and optimize the option for donation for every potential candidate.
We appreciate hospital staff support throughout the process and hope that
this outline better defines management goals. If your hospital is interested in
implementing Catastrophic Brain Injury Guidelines, please contact your Hospital
Services Coordinator or email The LLF at hospitalservices@thellf.org.
10
Connections
•
Spring 2012
The Living Legacy Foundation: Data Report
Lifesaving Results
The following information details organ and tissue referrals and their sources from Jan. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2011
Hospital Name
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Atlantic General Hospital
Bon Secours Hospital
Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Carroll Hospital Center
Calvert Memorial Hospital
Chester River Hospital Center
Dorchester General Hospital
Frederick Memorial Hospital
System
Franklin Square Health Center
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Garrett County Memorial Hospital
Good Samaritan Hospital
Howard County General Hospital
Harbor Hospital Center
Harford Memorial Hospital
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical
Center
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Maryland General Hospital
Memorial Hospital at Easton
Mercy Medical Center
Northwest Hospital Center
Peninsula Regional Memorial
Center
Saint Agnes Hospital
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Mary’s Hospital
Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
Total
Referrals
Organ
Donors
Tissue
Donors
69
4
16
101
69
0
0
7
3
2
0
5
0
0
0
1
11
7
2
21
5
12
2
5
105
50
3
2
24
16
32
0
0
1
41
0
3
1
11
54
44
20
2
2
0
9
0
5
132
192
29
32
20
48
5
15
0
1
1
2
26
15
3
3
3
9
88
163
160
62
24
8
4
9
3
1
25
8
9
4
7
Union Memorial Hospital
University of Maryland Medical
Center
Union Memorial Hospital Elkton
Meritus Regional Medical Center
70
39
1
3
18
9
397
24
37
2
31
9
84
7
8
Western Maryland Regional
Medical Center
40
2
9
Organ Donation Data
The following are key organizational performance indicators
for 2011.
(Source: LLF data)
Referrals
Donors Recovered
Overall Authorization Rate
Conversion Rate
2222
124
63%
75%
Organs Transplanted
385
Kidneys Transplanted
Hearts Transplanted
Livers Transplanted
Lungs Transplanted
Pancreas Transplanted
165
30
104
www.TheLLF.org
67
19
11
Spring 2012
Calendar
of Events
April
June
April is National Donate Life month
3
4
Be Seen in Green Day
4
Spring into Good Health
Mondawmin Mall
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
30
Save the Date
~June 3, 2012~
The Living Legacy Foundation’s Annual
Ceremony of Remembrance
BWI Marriott •Baltimore, MD
9
9th Annual Heather Anne Ricci
Golf Outing
3
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Comprehensive Transplant
Center's Patient Care Conference
The Crowne Plaza
Timonium MD
7:30 am – 12:30 pm
August
May
Union Baptist Health Fair
1211 Druid Hill Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21217
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Living Legacy Foundation’s Annual Ceremony of Remembrance
BWI Marriott •Baltimore, MD
BWI Marriott
1743 West Nursey Road
Baltimore, MD 21090
Bulle Rock Golf Course
Havre de Grace, Maryland
2
Ceremony of Remembrance
1
National Minority Donor
Awareness Day
For a full listing of upcoming events,
please log on to www.thellf.org .
Presentation at Lansdowne High
School
3800 Hollins Ferry Road
Halethorpe, MD 21227
8:00 am – 12:30 pm
MILLER’S MMP
1730 Twin Springs Road, Ste. 200
Baltimore, MD 21227
PAID
US POSTAGE
NON-PROFIT ORG.