My passion for organ donation stems from the extraordinary opportunity to transform tragedy into hope. Throughout my healthcare career, I have been privileged to care for critically ill patients across intensive, neonatal, pediatric, cardiac, and transplant care settings, first as a Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and now as a Donation Services Coordinator. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the resilience of patients and families, as well as the life-saving impact of transplantation.
Electronic Referrals: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 2:00pm
Electronic referrals (both fully automated and semi-automated) represent a significant advancement in the way OPOs receive and process referral notifications from hospital partners. This presentation examines the experience of two OPOs transitioning to an electronic referral system — from initial implementation through measurable outcomes.
In this session, attendees will explore the workflow changes associated with electronic referrals, including integration with hospital electronic health record systems, staff adoption challenges, and the operational adjustments required to support a successful transition. Data will be presented comparing key performance metrics before and after implementation, including referral volume, response times, and conversion rates; and compare outcomes from a semi-automated implementation and a fully automated implementation.
Designed for OPO and hospital leaders, coordinators, hospital development staff, technology professionals, educators and other team members, this session offers a candid look at what worked, what didn’t, and what the numbers reveal about the impact of electronic referrals on organ donation outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical insights and lessons learned that can inform or strengthen electronic referral efforts at their own organizations.