St. John’s hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo have once again been acknowledged for their exceptional care and support for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and staff members. Both St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo have been designated as 'High Performers' in the prestigious Human Rights Campaign Foundation 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). This recognition marks the second consecutive time that these hospitals have achieved such a commendable status by the nation’s leading LBGTQ+ advocacy group.
Prioritizing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity and Equality
Officials from Dignity Health, the hospitals' parent organization, explained that the HEI evaluates medical facilities based on five key pillars: non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, patient and community engagement, and responsible citizenship. As part of the evaluation process, both St. John's hospitals underwent rigorous assessments of their LGBTQ+ policies and practices.
Pioneering Changes for Inclusive Healthcare
The benchmark survey has led to significant improvements within the hospitals, including enhanced training programs for staff and clinicians, updated patient forms and IT systems to capture preferred pronouns, and revised employee benefits policies to explicitly include LGBTQ+ employees. These proactive measures aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking healthcare services.
Leading the Way in Healthcare Equality
Out of the 1,065 healthcare facilities participating in the latest HEI, 384 facilities achieved a perfect score of 100, earning them the prestigious title of 'LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.' Additionally, 43% of the facilities attained 'High Performer' status, showcasing their commitment to LGBTQ+ healthcare equality. Despite scoring an impressive 95, the Ventura County hospitals under Dignity Health faced a minor deduction of 5 points in the responsible citizenship category.
Upholding Commitment to Inclusive Care
Interim President and CEO of St. John’s Hospitals, Patrick Caster, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the hospitals' dedication to providing equal access to high-quality healthcare for all community members. Caster highlighted that being acknowledged as a leader by HEI underscores their ongoing efforts to ensure LGBTQ+ patients feel valued and secure during their medical treatments.
Championing Inclusive Healthcare Practices
Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, commended hospitals like St. John’s for their voluntary participation in the HEI survey, noting that their inclusive policies set a positive example for the healthcare community. Robinson emphasized the importance of healthcare providers offering fully inclusive services, especially in the face of ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ healthcare access.
Advancing LGBTQ+ Healthcare Rights
The foundation advocated for the implementation of a section of the Affordable Care Act that provides explicit protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. With recent positive developments in this area, the focus is on eliminating bias and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in healthcare settings. Robinson reiterated the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for all patients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In conclusion, St. John’s Hospitals' consistent commitment to LGBTQ+ healthcare equality and inclusivity serves as a beacon of progress in the healthcare industry. Their proactive initiatives and dedication to providing compassionate and respectful care exemplify the standard of excellence that all healthcare facilities should strive to achieve.