Columbus Community Hospital was recently awarded a 2009 Commitment and Service Award by RTI Donor Services, recognizing CCH’s outstanding efforts to provide tissue donation options to donor families in 2009.

RTI Donor Services, the hospital’s tissue recovery organization based in Middleton, works to enhance the lives of others by providing families the option of tissue donation and provides donation and education support to local communities. Only 11 awards were given out to Wisconsin hospitals by RTI Donor Services for 2009 efforts, Columbus Community Hospital being one of them.

Columbus Community Hospital was recognized for achieving a 75% tissue donation rate in 2009. This means that tissue was recovered from 75 percent of the hospital’s eligible donors, accounting for approximately 200-300 allografts.

“This outstanding accomplishment by Columbus Community Hospital has made a tremendous difference in the lives of others,” said Brenda Knighton, program director for RTI Donor Services Midwest Division. “Donated tissue gifts save lives, as well as increase strength, mobility and independence for many, many patients.”

Tissue donation is a gift given by a deceased donor to enhance the quality of life for others. It is strictly voluntary; the donor or the donor’s family must consent to the donation.

Allografts are a natural alternative to synthetic and metal implants and have been used successfully in various medical procedures for more than 150 years. About 1.5 million allografts are transplanted each year in the United States. Unlike synthetic or metal implants, allografts incorporate into the body.

Another choice surgeons have is an autograft, which takes tissue from one part of the body for transplantation to another part. Using an allograft eliminates the need for a second surgery site – avoiding additional pain, risk and possible longer hospital stay.

RTI Donor Services is a not-for-profit tissue recovery network dedicated to serving donor families and the donation community in perpetuating the circle of life. In addition to offering families the option of tissue donation, RTI Donor Services supports their wishes as a responsible steward of human donated tissue gifts and provides family services, as well as community information and awareness. For more information about RTI Donor Services, visit www.rtidonorservices.org.