Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre setting the stage for a first in organ donation in New Brunswick

Moncton, February 28, 2019 – The Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre (Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC) ran, on February 15, a simulation to prepare for the first organ donation after cardiovascular death (DCD) in New Brunswick. A press conference was held today to announce the launch of this pilot project at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre with several guests and dignitaries in attendance.

Dr. Rémi Leblanc, Service Chief for Intensive Care at Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC, explains that this new procedure will make it possible to significantly increase the number of organ donations in the province. “We already perform organ donations after neurological death (DND). With DCD, we will be able to retrieve additional organs, such as kidneys and livers,” explained Dr. Leblanc, estimating an approximate increase of 30 percent in organ retrieval and savings for the province of approximately $30,000 and $50,000 per year, per patient with a kidney transplant.

This initiative involves the presence of medical teams from both health authorities in the province, which are optimistic about all the benefits of this pilot project. “Organ donations give patients a second chance, a quality of life they have always dreamed of. DCD will enable us to provide this second chance to more patients awaiting an organ donation,” stated Gilles Lanteigne, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.

“I am pleased with this announcement and what it represents for our neurosurgical medical community, but especially for the reassurance that this announcement brings to the families affected by the tragic death of a loved one considering organ donation. Our staff are always committed to providing exceptional emergency care to people with urgent medical problems,” added Dr. Robert Adams, Neurosurgeon and Medical Director for the Organ Division of the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program, Horizon Health Network.

From left to right: Dr. Rémi LeBlanc, Chief of intensive care services, Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre; Ms. Nadya Savoie, Director of the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program, Horizon Health Network; Dr. Robert Adams, Neurosurgeon and Medical Director for the Organ Division of the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program, Horizon Health Network; and Dr. Isabelle-Anne Girouard, ER physician and Champion physician for organ donation, Vitalité Health Network.