16 Va. hospitals ranked on national LGBTQ benchmarking tool

Sixteen Virginia hospitals earned a top score of 100 on the 2020 Healthcare Equality Index survey, a national LGBTQ benchmarking tool from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), released Monday. 

HEI evaluated more than 1,700 health care facilities’ policies and practices related to equality and inclusion of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning patients, visitors and employees. Of the 16 hospitals earning a top score of 100, all 12 hospitals in the the Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare system were named.

“Sentara is a community leader,” Sentara Chief Diversity Officer Dana Beckton said in a statement. “Everyone who enters a Sentara facility, whether that’s for work, care, or just to visit, should know they are welcome, safe, valued, and will receive the highest quality of care.”

On the HEI list this year, 495 health care facilities earned a top score of 100 and were given a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. In addition to Sentara, four University of Virginia health care facilities earned a score of 100, and the McGuire VA Center in Richmond earned a 95, placing the hospital as a “Top Performer.” Facilities must actively participate in the surveying process in order to be ranked.

Some initiatives that set these organizations apart include internal committees focused on LGBTQ patient care issues, policies outlining procedures to ensuring appropriate interactions with transgender patients and access to all-gender restrooms.

“The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients,” HRC President Alphonso David said in a statement. “In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”