LANCASTER,
PA— Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health (LG Health) received honors from
the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s
largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights
organization, for its dedication and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The
designation for LG Health was awarded in the 15th edition of the Human Rights
Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released this week. Evaluating more
than 900 health-care facilities nationwide, the index is a national
benchmarking tool that evaluates health-care facilities on policies and
practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+
patients, visitors, and employees.
Each
health-care facility received a score based on four central pillars:
foundational policies and training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care; LGBTQ+
patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; and patient and
community engagement. Participants with a score of 100 points earned the foundation’s
“LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
LG Health
joined 495 other facilities that earned 100 points and the top designation.
Other Penn Medicine hospitals recognized as a LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality
Leaders include Chester County Hospital, the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Pennsylvania Hospital.
Princeton Health received a score of 90 and was listed as a “Top Performer.”
Penn
Medicine is dedicated to ensuring that all patients have access to respectful,
compassionate, and equitable health care at all times—and the HRC designation
is an important part of efforts to ensure health equity for all. The Penn Medicine Program for LGBT Health was launched
in 2013 to improve the health of LGBTQ+ individuals. Since then, the program
has promoted an LGBTQ-inclusive climate, provided professional development for
LGBTQ+ employees, increased LGBTQ+ participation in Penn research initiatives,
and improved patient and family-centered care for LGBTQ+ patients.
In addition
to being a valuable tool and resource for health care organizations, the
Healthcare Equality Index is used by LGBTQ+ patients and their families to find
facilities that provide equitable and inclusive care. For more information
about the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the 2022 Healthcare Equality
Index, visit the Human Rights Campaign homepage.
