Iowa Donor Network

Hospital development, public education, and donor family services:idn is committed to meeting all hospitals' educational and compliance needs regarding donation. This includes: training in the identification, referral and management of organ donors, sensitivity and timing for approaching potential donor families with the option of donation and reporting on organ and tissue donor potential and outcomes to hospital administration for use, as necessary, with their own compliance and accreditation reporting.every hospital, medical examiner's office, dmv office, and ems program in iowa has an assigned idn representative whose job it is to make sure that personnel know how and when to contact idn for donation assistance. Idn staff work with hospitals and assigned agencies to develop protocols or policies and procedures related to referral for organ and tissue donation. Other duties include: meeting with hospital/ agency leadership and personnel to engage support for organ and tissue donation, follow-up after each organ referral and follow-up with staff after each organ or tissue recovery. Idn has a department with trained staff dedicated to providing donor family care services at the time of crisis and for a period of up to 24 months following donation if so desired by the donor next-of-kin. Iowa donor network provided grief support to approximately over 900 iowa families who have lost a loved one and made the generous decision to donate.idn's public education focus is to increase donation awareness and acceptance. With data from the iowa donor registry, this effort is focused on regions of the state (counties) with lower-than-average donor registrations. Idn conducted numerous public education presentations. Activities and promotions are organized and conducted by idn's outreach staff, with the help of volunteers and contracted advertising and pr agencies. Public education includes: presentations to civic groups, work-places, driver's education and special events. As of december 31, 2024 iowa had 1,572,284 residents signed up to the iowa donor registry. The registry captures the authorization of anyone in the state making the decision to be a donor. Idn provides resources to volunteer organizations and support groups throughout iowa: these groups are composed of people waiting for transplant, donor family members, recipients and other concerned individuals. Idn is associated with several professional organizations at the national level, including the north american transplant coordinators organization, the association of organ procurement organizations, the american society for multicultural health and transplant professionals, the american board of transplant coordination, the american association of tissue banks and the united network for organ sharing. In cooperation with the guidelines set forth by these professional associations and governing bodies, along with the transplant centers across the country, donated organs are allocated equitably to transplant patients according to national distribution policies.since 2012 idn has been on a performance improvement journey through the iowa recognition for performance excellence (irpe) program. Using the baldrige excellence framework as a tool, idn is engaged in a continous review of organizational systems and processes, the identification of areas of strength and opportuniy, and the determination of what and how idn should improve or change. This process enables idn to continuously identify ways to provide the highest quality services possible to achieve its mission, vision and organizational priorities.