Getting their Flowers: MTN Staff Earn a DAISY Team Award
The excitement in “We won a DAISY with WMC!!!!” says a lot.
In December 2023, a car accident sent Dwayne ‘D Dub’ Moenning to the emergency department at Wesley Healthcare in Wichita, Kansas. He was cared for by a Surgical Intensive Care Unit for about a week, but he passed away. Moenning’s family chose to donate their son’s organs. And they wanted his classmates to attend his honor walk. The school is more than an hour’s drive away.
MTN’s Impact
Midwest Transplant Network staff Midge Dempsey, Family Services Coordinator II, and Nikki Dixon, Hospital Services Coordinator II, served on the team that supported the Moenning family, and both made an impact.
Dempsey explained that when the time came to approach the Moenning family about donation, they struggled with the decision, but after conversation and explaining the organ donation process, they made the choice for their son to become a donor hero. Dempsey helped the family plan an honor walk and coordinated efforts to bring classmates and community members from their small town to the hospital.
Earning The DAISY Team Award
The DAISY Team Award is designed to honor collaboration by two or more people, led by a nurse, who identify and meet patient and patient family needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of nursing.
Wesley Healthcare presented The DAISY Team Award to a multidisciplinary SICU team that included partners and others who had an instrumental role in the Moenning’s story. The ceremony was held May 8, in the heart of National Nurses Week. (Continued on page 2)
Getting their Flowers: MTN Staff Earn a DAISY Team Award
(Continued from page 1)
“Earning a DAISY Team Award brings validation to my life and reminds me that I am following the path that has been paved for me. This award brings me joy because I know that I was able to provide someone with something they needed at a given time,” said Dempsey.
“Earning The DAISY Team Award as part of a hospital/MTN team is a blessing. We work very closely with the hospital team and winning an award together is a testament to that partnership,” said Dixon.
There’s another layer to the award for Dixon. “I spent my bedside nursing career in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Wesley, so this hospital is dear to my heart. I am very proud to serve Wesley as their MTN Hospital Services Coordinator. Organ donation saved my late father’s life twice, so I am honored to be part of this mission.”
About The DAISY Award
The DAISY Award was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes in honor of the care he received after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 33, in 1999. While he was hospitalized, his family “experienced the best of nursing.”
After Barnes died, his wife created the acronym DAISY — Diseases Attacking the Immune System — and the family created a not-for-profit organization, and The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses began at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance at the University of Washington Medical Center. The DAISY Award is described as “the first program of its kind to give patients, families, and co-workers a way to express their gratitude to nurses for what they became nurses to do — provide compassionate care to patients and their families.”
Learn more about The DAISY Foundation: daisyfoundation.org
National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month
August is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month, a time to save and improve the quality of life of diverse communities by creating a positive culture for organ, eye and tissue donation.
The need for donation is strong among Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American people. To date, 60% of people on the national transplant waitlist represent diverse racial and ethnic communities — and more than 40% of organ transplant recipients are people of color.
Nationally, the vast majority of those waiting for the most commonly transplanted organ, the kidney, are people of color, representing 64% of the waitlist.
We have seen increases in the number of deceased organ donors spanning many races over the last four years, including a 94% increase in the American Indian/Alaska Native population.
With your help, we look forward to enhancing awareness of multiethnic donation in August and throughout the year.
• Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation
Midge Dempsey (left) and Nikki Dixon, (right) earned The DAISY Team Award on May 8.
Progressing Toward The Goal
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network released 2023 year-end data showing record increases in donation and transplantation. The results continue to demonstrate upward progression toward Association of Organ Procurement Organization’s goal of 50,000 annual organ transplants in 2026.
2024 Donate Life Legacy Walk Recap
MExcellence in Donation Award: Johnson County Medical Examiner
idwest Transplant Network honored more than 1,700 donor families, transplant recipients and community partners at our eighth annual Donate Life Legacy Walk. The evening was filled with music from 2 Proud 2 Beg, food and memories.
The Tribute Trail provided another year of moments of reflection and recognition for those who have been impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation.
View 2024 Legacy Walk photos: mwtn.org/legacy-walk
Diane C. Peterson, MD, and her staff at the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office consistently go the extra mile to partner with MTN to facilitate donation, even when it presents challenges to them completing their investigative processes. They were the first medical examiner’s (ME) office in our service area to implement an electronic referral system two years ago and have set the standard for the other ME offices in making direct referrals. With a 44% tissue conversion rate and 65 recovered tissue donors, their commitment to donation has helped well over 5,000 grateful recipients. Also, 29 organ donors were recovered due to the collaboration we have with Peterson and the staff at Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office. Thank you for being such wonderful partners in donation!
Hospital Partner Education
About this newsletter
This insert is intended for clinical staff and not for the general public. Please post in a highly visible clinical area such as a break room.
Donation After Circulatory Death/ Normothermic Regional Perfusion Update
Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) is a cutting-edge donation after circulatory death (DCD) organ recovery technique that is gaining recognition among organ procurement organizations (OPOs), hospitals and transplant programs. NRP is performed in the operating room, specifically on authorized DCD donor patients who are deceased following compassionate extubation. This innovative technique involves in-situ perfusion, allowing for additional observation of organ function on lifesaving gifts that have already been matched or accepted for transplant.
Contact Us
For more information or questions, call 913-262-1668, email info@mwtn.org or visit mwtn.org
By the Numbers
Total Organs Transplanted Jan. 1 – May 31, 2024
During NRP procedures, incoming recovery and transplant teams provide the necessary organ perfusion equipment and are accompanied by a perfusion specialist, ensuring comprehensive care during the recovery process.
Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) clinical leadership has started the process of introducing Normothermic Regional Perfusion in our service area. The process was fully vetted through an extensive clinical analysis of NRP recoveries, and consultation with esteemed bioethical professionals. With the support of clinical leaders, medical professionals and ethicists, MTN is committed to implementing NRP in a manner that is transparent, collaborative and ethically sound.
Research indicates that organs retrieved through NRP demonstrate improved recipient outcomes when compared to those procured via traditional DCD methods, potentially translating to numerous additional lives saved. When approved by your facility, we will provide specific NRP education to OR staff. MTN eagerly anticipates collaborating with your hospital leadership to explore the integration of NRP into your protocols. For more information, please contact your designated MTN Hospital Services Coordinator (HSC).
First Person Authorization, Gift Law and Family Opposition
First Person Authorization (FPA) is a decision made by means of legal documentation, such as a driver’s license. This provides authorization for donation and is upheld by the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). This type of authorization, like a will, falls under Gift Law and is legally binding.
Because FPA is a gift, families do not have the authority to overturn this incredibly generous decision to save lives through the gift of donation. Some families may not be aware of this decision which can stir emotions of their own during grief.
It is not uncommon that people do not share their decision to be a donor with their loved ones. They may be concerned it would be a hard decision for their family, so they choose to not burden their loved ones with another decision during such a difficult time.
Families may express many different emotions during this process. MTN’s goal is to support their loved one’s decision to be a donor, as well as compassionately support the family in their grief and time of loss.
It is important to remember:
• First Person Authorization is legally binding and does not require informed consent.
• No one has legal standing to overturn this decision.
• MTN and our hospital partners are both obligated to honor this legal decision.
• The manner of declaring death does not change the decision to donate. Declaring a patient’s Death by Neurological Criteria (DNC) or Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) does not alter the gift.
– For DCD, MTN will work with the family in the best way possible regarding timing of moving to comfort care.
When the time is appropriate, MTN will share donor registration status with a donor’s family.
Check your hospital policy regarding potential First Person Opposition algorithms and/or communication process if a family is not supportive of donation. If your hospital does not have an algorithm, please visit with your Hospital Services Coordinator for help in establishing this important plan.
If a family asks about organ, eye and tissue donation, please thank them for their generous thoughts; and let them know you will reach out to someone who can answer their questions. Then call MTN at 1-800-DONOR-91 (1-800-366-6791).
The generous decision of donor heroes to save lives through their gifts of organ, eye, and tissue donation cannot be fulfilled without your support. Thank you for your continued compassionate care and support of patients and their families!
Death by Neurological Criteria Checklist
MTN has recently updated its Death by Neurologic Criteria (Brain Death) Checklist. This update is to ensure the checklist is aligned with current pronouncement guidelines as issued by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Child Neurology Society (CNS), and Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). This checklist is for assessing adult patients only. We will adopt the pediatric checklist developed by Children’s Mercy Hospital once it becomes available. Hospitals are invited to adopt and/ or use this document as they feel appropriate. The updates are summarized below.
Updates to the MTN Death By Neurologic Criteria Checklist:
• At the recommendation of the AAN/ CNS/SCCM and the Center for Practical Bioethics MTN will be shifting terminology to Death by Neurologic Criteria (DNC) rather than brain death.
• Section I. Patient is unresponsive with known cause and 24-hour period of observation required for anoxic injuries.
• Section II. Patient has a temperature of 36° C/96.8° F for at least 24 hours prior to testing.
• Section III. Notes that neurologic examination is required to declare death by neurologic criteria (reverse side provides detailed exam guidelines)
• Ancillary Test Section: Ancillary tests are optional. EEG is no longer acceptable. Acceptable ancillary tests include cerebral angiography, cerebral scintigraphy (CBF) and transcranial doppler (TCD).
Please remember that an update to MTN is required any time a patient is presenting without brainstem reflexes or there is a plan for Death by Neurologic Criteria testing.
An electronic copy of the updated MTN checklist and/or the AAN/CNS/SCCM article reviewing the guideline updates can be provided by your HSC upon request.
Meet MTN’s New Donor Designation Coordinator
Hi, I’m Jessica Cleary, and I’m the new Donor Designation Coordinator at Midwest Transplant Network. I’ve worked at MTN for seven years assisting our donor families with learning about their loved one’s donation as well as lending a helping hand at donor family events.
After growing up as a military brat, I’ve found a home in Kansas City, where I’ve lived for more than 20 years. I graduated from Park University with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Natural Science.
My significant other and I are the embodiment of the Brady Bunch — biggie sized — with a total of 12 of us. We love attending school skate parties, band and choir concerts, and field days. Song lyrics take up way more space in my head than they should, but they come in handy on trivia nights.
I’m looking forward to connecting and collaborating with all of our DMV partners and the community to continue our mission and vision of organ, eye and tissue donation.
You can reach me at jcleary@mwtn.org or 913-261-7330 to say hello or ask questions.
Preview for National DMV Appreciation Month
We have the pleasure every September to celebrate the hard and valuable work of all of our DMV and Licensing Bureau partners during National DMV Appreciation Month. It is an opportunity for us to thank you, the front-line champions, for the commitment you have to our mission of saving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. We will be hosting our annual decorating contest again this year and cannot wait to see your team’s creativity!
Update Your Information
We ask that all offices provide updated information for any changes in staff, leadership or location to ensure we send items and emails to the correct contact(s). If you are not receiving our monthly emails from Donor Designation Coordinator Jessica Cleary, please consider adding the email jcleary@mwtn.org to your contact/safe senders list to ensure the messages can securely pass any firewalls. Also, your office should have received a mailing for National Donate Life Month in late March. If you did not receive this package, please let us know! We do not want you to miss out on receiving any information or mailings.
Online Learning Module
Would you like to have a quick overview of organ, eye and tissue donation? Check out this fiveminute learning module. It’s fast, and you will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win an Amazon gift card after completing the short knowledge check at the end.
Complete the module now: mwtn.org/dmv
Donation Champions
There are several awards and recognitions that Midwest Transplant Network and the donation and organ procurement communities have for individuals and groups that consistently go above and beyond to advocate for and support organ, eye and tissue donation. We know there are many individuals who do great work in our service area, and we want to be sure to know about your efforts. If you or someone you know continually works hard in support of donation, please share this information with Donor Designation Coordinator Jessica Cleary at jcleary@mwtn.org . We want to highlight your hard work and ensure these individuals and teams can be considered for various awards and recognitions throughout the year.
Mission
Saving lives by honoring the gift of donation with dignity and compassion
Vision
Leading organ and tissue donation through excellence, quality and partnerships
Contact Us
For more information or questions, call 913-262-1668 or visit mwtn.org
Follow Us
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
@MWTransplant
Midwest Transplant Network
Upcoming Events
Event Audience Key
General MTN
Funeral Home & Medical Examiner Partners
Hospital Partners
Licensing, Treasury and Department of Revenue Partners
View all upcoming events: mwtn.org/events
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August
Aug. 1 – 31 • National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month
National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM) aims to enhance awareness of organ donation and transplantation in diverse communities, creating a positive culture for organ, eye and tissue donation.
For more information: mwtn.org/nmdam
September
Sept. 1 – 30 • National DMV Appreciation Month
National DMV Appreciation Month recognizes the vital role our licensing, treasury and Department of Revenue partners play in saving and healing lives by asking people the donor registration question every day.
For more information: mwtn.org/dmv-month
November
Nov. 1 – 30 • Faith and Hope Month
In preparation for Faith and Hope Month, MTN invites you to connect your faith community with our Community Engagement department. Communities interested in presentations, an online toolkit or other resources are encouraged to email Nichole Asquith.
For more information: nasquith@mwtn.org
