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Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City has received national recognition by the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index, a survey of healthcare facilities on practices and policies dedicated to equitable treatment and inclusion for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees, according to a Dignity Health press release.
Sequoia Hospital was one of the 384 participants out of 1,065 healthcare facilities that actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey to receive the top score of 100.
“We know that LGBTQ+ people face unique healthcare challenges, and we are dedicated to providing them with the care and support they deserve,” said Bill Graham, president of Sequoia Hospital, in a press release. “We are proud to be a leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare, and we are committed to continuing to provide the best possible care to our patients.”
The purpose of the Healthcare Equality Index is to promote equitable and inclusive care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Patients and their families, the release said
Healthcare facilities are judged on the five criteria of non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, patient and community engagement, and responsible citizenship. For all of these criteria, Sequoia Hospital received full points according to the Human Rights Campaign Website.
The criteria are judged by the Healthcare Equality Index based on a comprehensive review of each hospital’s LGBTQ+ care policies and practices within the organization. This includes clarified wording in employee benefits, expanded training for staff and clinicians, updated patient forms and processes to better capture preferred pronouns and solicited feedback from LGBTQ+ patients.
“One in five LGBTQI+ adultes postponed healthcare treatment due to disrespect or discrimination by healthcare including more than half of transgender and nonbinary individuals” according to the Human Rights CampaignFoundation.
“This national recognition from the Human Rights Campaign is a testament to the dedication of our compassionate care teams across the state of California, who are committed to making sure that our LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome, heard, and safe in our care sites every day,” said Julie J. Sprengel, president of the California region in a press release.
