Bayhealth is proud to announce its inclusion in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality. Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus and Bayhealth Milford Memorial are two of the 418 facilities to receive the honor after earning a top score of 100. The HRC is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working toward achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people.
The findings were part of the 2018 HEI, an unique survey that encourages equal care for LGBTQ Americans by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. Bayhealth earned top marks in patient-centered care, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.
Bayhealth was named a HEI leader in 2016 and then a top performer in 2017. Those involved are proud of the work done this past year to achieve the leader designation again. “Over the past two years, we’ve become increasingly aware of the LGBTQ patients in the Bayhealth community. We’re driven now more than ever to make sure these patients, families, visitors, and team members are treated with the kindness, dignity and respect they deserve,” said Director of Patient Advocacy, Services Excellence and Professional Recruitment Marianne Foard, MS, RN, NE-BC. “Our work is also making Bayhealth a more inclusive organization to work for.”
This year’s report states 70 percent of transgender or gender non-confirming patients surveyed experienced some type of discrimination in healthcare while 56 percent of lesbian, gay or bisexual patients experienced discrimination in healthcare. On top of this, 52 percent of transgender respondents believe they’d be refused medical services because of their LGBTQ status. This is why improving policies for LGBTQ at healthcare facilities across the nation is so important.
“These top-scoring facilities are not only establishing policies that save LGBTQ lives every day, they have become vocal advocates for equality in the public square. This year, we are heartened to see corporate champions, including many healthcare systems, not just speaking out but also doubling down on their commitment to equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
Being a part of the HEI just makes sense, says Planetree Coordinator Donna Henderson, as it aligns with Bayhealth’s mission, core values and patient-centered philosophy of care. “Our mission is to improve the health status of all members of the community, regardless of their sexuality or gender identification. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to make their experience at Bayhealth better,” Henderson said.
Visit Bayhealth.org/LGBTQ for more information on how Bayhealth supports the LGBTQ-community. Visit www.HRC.org/HEI for more information on the Healthcare Equality Index 2018.
