Alberta Health received a 2014 Ingenious Award from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) for its Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry (AOTDR), which CGI helped to build. Presented at the Ingenious Awards Gala Dinner in Toronto on November 12, the award honours excellence in the innovative use of information and communications technology to achieve measureable improvements in productivity or service delivery. Alberta Health received an award within the “Large Public Organization” category.
CGI worked closely with Alberta Health, as well as representatives from Alberta Health Services and Service Alberta to build the AOTDR. The registry makes it easier for Albertans to register their intent and consent to become an organ, tissue and body donor. Prior to the registry’s implementation, Albertans could provide consent to be a donor by completing the back of their health care card but this is not as effective, as cards are not always available when needed. Today, more than 53,000 people have registered with the system, and since the registry’s launch on April 22, 2014, about 400 registrations are added per day.
The Registry, which is confidential, allows Donor Coordinators and Tissue Specialists to search for intent or consent in end-of-life situations to share with families as evidence of their loved-ones consent when the time comes. The searchable, signed consent forms, which include witness signatures, provide strong statements of consent to the families of donors.
“On behalf of CGI, I would like to congratulate Alberta Health for this outstanding accomplishment,” said Shawn Derby, Senior Vice President, Western Canada, CGI. “We are also proud of the CGI professionals who contributed to the registry’s development. Their innovative ideas and commitment has led to a system that truly saves lives.”
“In a world where success depends on innovation, collaboration and an uncompromising focus on excellence, ITAC is pleased to recognize Alberta Health for its achievement in instituting the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry,” said ITAC President and CEO Karna Gupta. “This system is a clear demonstration of how technology can make a tremendous difference in our society.”
“We are honoured to receive this award,” said Sherri Kashuba, Interim Managing Director of the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. “Alberta Health is pleased with how quickly the registry was ready for Albertans to use in response to the new legislation. The online solution was designed and delivered in 2.5 months, the Registry Agent solution 6 weeks later and remaining releases every 2 months, providing value to Albertans in a very short period of time. The uptake is fantastic, and it exceeds our expectations. We would like to recognize CGI, and all our partners, for their great contribution to the success of this project. The CGI team’s strong commitment to developing an innovative and effective registry helped us to achieve our vision and goals. ”
Residents of Alberta can register online at MyHealth.alberta.ca , or visit any registry agent to register their intent and consent to be a donor.
Launched in 2011, the Ingenious Awards program celebrates the use of technology to improve the performance of large and small businesses, governments and not-for-profit organizations. Fifty-seven nominations were evaluated by judges from the CIO Association of Canada who looked for clear demonstrations of measurable achievement and innovation related to the use of information and communications technology to address opportunities and challenges. Nominations came from across Canada, with finalists representing five provinces.
About ITAC
ITAC is the voice of the Canadian information and communications technologies (ICT) industry which is comprised of about 33,300 companies, generates $155 billion in revenues, contributes $67.2 billion to the Canadian GDP, accounts for 3% of total employment (approximately 572,700 jobs) and is the largest performer of private sector R&D ($4.8 billion).
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog of approximately C$19 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.
For more information
Sébastien Barangé
Communications Director
sebastien.barange@cgi.com
514-841-3354
