Power of One Team – Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, WA is a Level III trauma center that typically has two or less organ donors per year. Over a 3 month period in 2010, Evergreen supported 4 patients that became organ donors. This would not have been possible without the efforts of an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, surgical staff, spiritual care, hospital administration, LifeCenter Northwest staff, and countless others. “The collaboration between the donor hospital and LifeCenter Northwest is like a finely tuned orchestra…it is only complete with all the pieces,” says EHMC Critical Care Nurse Manager Marta Grapensteter.
The organ donation process is intense, very time sensitive and requires an extreme amount of communication and collaboration. Having a team that communicates well with each other throughout each step of the organ donation process is vital. Evergreen has repeatedly referred patients in a timely manner to LifeCenter Northwest. The hospital staff has coordinated with LifeCenter to discuss donation options with families when appropriate. LifeCenter has sent Family Support staff onsite to work collaboratively to support these families in traumatic grief. The labs at Evergreen have run tests to ensure organ safety and viability. The Evergreen operating room staff have moved elective surgeries to adjust for every-changing organ recovery timing based on the needs of transplant centers. One Hospital, One Team, Four Organ Donors, Eleven Lives Saved. Never underestimate the Power of One.
