March 29, 2017 – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, has designated El Camino Hospital as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.” The designation was reported in the 10th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), reflecting on a decade of progress in LGBTQ healthcare. In 2017, 590 healthcare facilities actively participated in the survey and the HRC Foundation researched key policies at more than 900 non-participating hospitals. Of all those included in the HEI, 302 earned a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation.
“This designation reflects the values and mission of El Camino Hospital in the most fundamental way,” said William Faber, MD, Chief Medical Officer of El Camino Hospital. “We’re very proud of the work we’ve done and will continue to do to ensure that our LGBTQ patients and their families receive knowledgeable, sensitive and welcoming healthcare.”
“The 2017 HEI reminds us that though we have made tremendous gains over the past decade, there is still much more work left for us to do. With some of our biggest battles still ahead of us, it is crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “For the past decade, the HEI has been the roadmap to closing the gap in ensuring equal care to LGBTQ patients and their families, and we urge every healthcare facility to join us in this continuing effort to provide inclusive care to all.”
The 10th edition of the HEI implements new criteria that raise the bar on what it takes to earn HRC’s “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. For the first time ever, HEI participants are given scores in four criteria that represent how many policies and best practices from each section they have implemented: foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and LGBTQ Patient and Community Engagement.
El Camino Hospital received the maximum score in each section for a total score of 100 points to earn the coveted status of “2017 Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.” The hospital has gone beyond the basics and has formed the El Camino Hospital LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Committee which is comprised of more than 40 staff members representing every hospital department. The committee leads El Camino Hospital’s work to adopt and maintain best practices in LGBTQ clinical care, patient service and employment.