RESUMEN
Michigan, like most other states in the nation, has a clear need for more organ donors for transplantation; at this time, there are more than 2,800 patients in the state awaiting organs. We have evaluated the effects of a process improvement program designed to increase the number of organ donors and the number of organs donated from appropriate trauma patients. In 2005, William Beaumont Hospital began working with the Michigan Hospital Association Keystone Center and more than 40 hospitals across Michigan to implement evidence-based practices in organ donation focused on 4 specific outcomes and process measures. Outcome measures were conversion rate and referral rate, whereas the process measures were timely notification rate and the rate of requests by appropriate requester. We have retrospectively reviewed our recent outcomes in regard to these measures and compared them with the outcomes for the same time period 1 year before implementation. The data for preimplementation (January-December 2004; 32 eligible donors) and postimplementation (January-December 2005; 30 eligible donors) are summarized below: [table: see text] In 2004, a total of 67 organs were made available to Gift of Life Michigan; in 2005, a total of 88 organs were made available, a 31% increase. Implementation of evidence-based practice initiatives can significantly increase the donor conversion rate. This has led to an overall increase in the number of organs available for transplant.