Professional Updates
LifeQuest Earns Professional Accreditation
After 14 months of preparation, policy revisions and weekly meetings, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services was granted professional accreditation by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations.
"This is a huge accomplishment for our program and our staff," said Executive Director Danielle Cornell. "We have worked diligently and industriously to bring every aspect of our operation up to or beyond the professionally accepted standards for organ procurement. This designation tells us and all of our referral hospitals that we have succeeded."
As of November of 2004, 38 of the nation’s 58 OPOs were accredited by AOPO. LifeQuest brings that number to 39.
LifeQuest began preparing for the accreditation process in October 2003 and involved the entire staff in the process.
Hospital Guidelines
The hospital's referral of a potential donor is where the donation process starts. To ensure that the referral is made, LifeQuest and all of the hospitals in our service region must follow strict federal guidelines regarding the identification and referral of potential organ donors.
We want all of the healthcare professionals in our area to understand the importance of these regulations and be aware of how these state and federal regulations affect them and their institutions. In addition to providing professional education and training on these policies within the hospitals, we have listed some of the regulations and statues set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Florida's Agency for Healthcare Administration here on our website.
If you have any questions about these regulations or any other policies, please contact LifeQuest and ask to speak with the Hospital Development staff.
