Organ Donor Registry Improved by 24-Hour Access

Nova Scotia transplantation staff now have 24-hour online access to the organ and tissue donor information stored on the provincial health card database, Health Minister Jim Smith announced today.

And as of May 1, Nova Scotians' donor wishes will be recorded on their health cards only, the minister said.

"When organ and tissue donation is an option, it is understandably a difficult time for families. This can be even more painful if they don't know their loved ones' wishes," said Dr. Smith. "Having donor information stored in a central location that is more accessible to staff will help make the situation much easier and more efficient for families and health care professionals alike."

Over the past few months, the Department of Health has been working with QEII Transplantation Services and Maritime Medical Care to establish a secure and confidential system that would allow transplant staff to have online access to donor information.

Previously, staff could only obtain this information during business hours by calling Maritime Medical Care, which administers the MSI program and the provincial health card database.

Residents of Nova Scotia have also had the option of indicating their donor wishes on provincial driver's licences and identification cards. This program has been successful in raising public awareness of organ and tissue donation but does not allow residents to identify restrictions. As well, the information is not stored in a database.

When health cards were introduced, they were recognized as a more appropriate place to record donor information.

Jim Mohr, manager of QEII Transplantation Services, said he believes the efforts of the driver's licence program set the groundwork for the provincial health card organ and tissue donor registry. He acknowledged the leading role Nova Scotia has taken in organ and tissue donation.

"Many families find great solace in their time of grief by helping others through organ and tissue donation," said Mr. Mohr. "This organ and tissue donor registry is the first of its kind in Canada and will support health care professionals in ensuring all families are offered the option of organ and tissue donation."

Nova Scotians who have selected to be donors on their driver's licences or identification cards, and those who wish to become donors, are encouraged to record their wishes on their Nova Scotia health cards. Registration forms are available with health card renewals. If a card is not due for renewal, a person can register as a donor by contacting the MSI program at 902-496-7008 or 1-800-563-8880.

The health card will be stamped with the word DONOR and a number indicating wishes:

• the number 1 means consent to donate all organs and tissues
• the number 2 means consent to donate specific organs and/or tissues as listed on the registry

Staff at Access Nova Scotia centres and the Registry of Motor Vehicles will continue to play a valuable role in raising organ and tissue donor awareness. They will include the new donor registration information in driver's licence renewal notices.

Donor brochures and registration forms will also be available at Access Nova Scotia centres, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Public Health Services offices, and through physicians' offices, hospitals and health centres.

Nova Scotia became the first province in Canada to establish a detailed provincewide organ and tissue donor registry when it implemented the registry in conjunction with Nova Scotia health cards in 1995.

The registry was a result of the joint efforts of Department of Health and staff of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program who worked closely to identify strategies to increase organ and tissue donation. Since then, close to 300,000 Nova Scotians have registered to be donors on their provincial health cards, and the group is continuing its efforts, with other health professionals and organizations, in the hopes of increasing that number.

The Health Department reminds all Nova Scotians that, while ensuring access to their donor wishes is an important step, it is still vital for them to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families.