They say everything happens in perfect timing—that couldn’t be more true for BC Transplant as they celebrate the re-launch of their Organ Donor Registry. Overcoming a variety of hurdles such as securing funding and a near-expiring contract with an external vendor, BC Transplant, the CVI Source Cardiac team, Information Management and Information Technology Services (IMITS) and several other teams across PHSA, worked together to put patients first and deliver results.
A first-of-its-kind in Canada, the Organ Donor Registry enables British Columbians to register their wishes of being organ donors. If the time comes, families can rely on the registry to support sensitive decisions by gaining insight into their loved one's wishes around organ donation.
While the Organ Donor Registry was initially launched in 1997, the updated version was launched last November and showcases a variety of enhanced features with all the key services being supported by PHSA cloud services. To date, 1.58 million British Columbians have registered their decision in the Organ Donor Registry.
“With the re-launch of the Organ Donor Registry, we have helped improve the experience of British Columbians seeking to record their decision on organ donation, and have access to better reporting functionalities that we can use to inform policy, programs and community engagement and public awareness activities, says Parvind Grewal, Manager of Health Informatics and Clinical Operations, BC Transplant.”
Don MacArthur, Sr. Project Manager, Clinical Registries explains that through an improved process, information can now be channelled from the registry to a data mart that allows BC Transplant to be more effective in creating successful donation drives. “This and the capability to integrate information from multiple sources is a real game changer in the organ donation sphere,” says Don.
The re-launch of the provincial Organ Donor Registry required a collaborative effort from multiple teams across PHSA and external vendors. The IMITS Specialized Provincial & Ancillary Solutions team, who supported the older registry, helped to migrate all of the historical data onto the new platform and the Cardiac Services BC Analytical team helped to update the registry on the new information system. PHSA’s Privacy and Security, Legal, and Web Services teams also collaborated closely.
“The great thing about this initiative was the dedication that all the teams showed in making an accessible new platform for capturing donor decisions in the province. I think everyone really felt the importance of what we were doing. The teamwork and camaraderie really make this kind of work rewarding,” says Don.
Parvind adds: “with a project this large, it’s impossible to know every person involved. But even with that being the case, it’s heart-warming to see the level of responsibility and commitment that each person brought to the table. This project is an excellent example of how things can be taken from start to finish in a short time span when we work together as a team.”
Take two minutes to register as an organ donor and give hope to the almost 600 people waiting for an organ transplant in BC. For more information, visit the BC Transplant website.
