|
|
This is an example of a birth tissue graft that can be collected from placentas and used to treat eye injuries. Pipestone County Medical Center started working with Dakota Lions Sight and Health in 2022 to collect birth tissue donations that are then processed and distributed by BioTissue. Source: biotissue.com
Expectant mothers who have C-sections scheduled at Pipestone County Medical Center (PCMC) can donate birth tissue, which includes parts of the placenta and umbilical cord, that can be used for a variety of treatments.
PCMC works with Dakota Lions Sight and Health (DLSH) to arrange the donations. DLSH CEO Marcy Dimond said the nonprofit organization, which is headquartered in Sioux Falls, was approached by one of its partners about collecting donated birth tissue in 2020. It started collecting donations in 2021 and PCMC started participating in the program the following year.
“PCMC likes to be proactive in helping our patients, helping patients anywhere,” said Director of Patient Care Services Laurie Bruns. “We’re always willing to jump into the future with new procedures. It really goes back down to the care of the patient and how we can do the best for each patient that we can, and this just seemed like a really good way to promote healing and patient care.”
Birth tissue can be used to treat burns, wounds and other conditions, according to DLSH.
“The primary use here, in this part of the country, has been in the ocular space or in the wound healing space,” Dimond said. “Those are kind of the two main things that are happening in our region right now, but there’s a lot of research happening with that tissue as well on the medical use side, and we’re hearing of all kinds of novel uses for that tissue that’s really helping patients.”
According to DLSH, birth tissue contains cells that stimulate healing, and grafts have been shown to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Benefits can include quicker recovery, pain suppression and reduced scar tissue.
“The benefit really, especially for patients with burns, is that it prevents contracture and scarring in the traditional way that you see in somebody who’s been very badly burned,” Dimond said.
Since 2022, there have been about 11 birth tissue donations made from PCMC. Bruns said the donation process begins in the clinic when a physician presents information about birth tissue donation to a patient scheduled to have a C-Section. If the patient is interested, they are contacted by DLSH. If they meet the requirements, which include a healthy pregnancy, 34 weeks gestation and the donor being 18 or older, then informed consent is obtained and medical screenings are done, which are the same as for donating blood, according to Dimond. If there are no disqualifiers, DLSH sends a technician to the hospital at the date and time of the C-Section to collect the birth tissue.
Carmen Fey, of Edgerton, donated birth tissue at PCMC in November of 2022 when she had her third child, Logan. Fey said her physician, Dr. Jackie Vroman, brought up the option of donating birth tissue during a prenatal visit. She looked into it and liked the idea of being able to help others. Dimond said many moms like that idea.
“They’re bringing a baby into the world, they’re in that mindset of bringing life, and the tissue is otherwise discarded,” Dimond said.
Bruns said the process is safe for the mother and baby, and noninvasive. The technician waits outside the operating room and PCMC staff pass the placenta to them in a sterile container behind the scenes.
“On the day of the delivery, the collection was done without my notice,” Fey said.
Dimond said the technician takes just the inner layer of the placenta, which is the amnion, and part of the umbilical cord. She said the placenta is still available for testing if necessary.
DLSH sends the tissue to a company called BioTissue, which processes the tissue into usable medical grafts and redistributes it to facilities all over the country. Dimond said that over 300 birth tissue grafts came back into DLSH’s service area, which includes Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska, last quarter. She said one donation can benefit 60 to 70 people.
“It’s really an amazing gift,” Dimond said.
Fey said it felt good to be able to give that gift. In recognition of her donation, DLSH sent her a thank you and a onesie for Logan that said, “I was Born a Hero.”
Josh West, of Madison, S.D., was on the receiving end of such a donation. West said he was lighting fireworks around the Fourth of July in 2020 when one blew up in his face. His left eye was damaged and West said he couldn’t open it or see out of it. West said birth tissue treatment was used on his eye and skin, and that it seemed to reduce inflammation and help with healing. He said his vision is now as good as it was prior to the accident.
“It worked great,” West said. “I’m glad I did it.”
Dimond said the use of birth tissue to treat wounds and burns has been around for a long time, but it’s become more common in recent years. More information about DLSH’s birth tissue program can be found at dakotasight.org.
