UK HealthCare named LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer in 2024
UK HealthCare has been recognized as a LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in its 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).
The HEI is the benchmark survey of U.S. health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. UK HealthCare's Albert B. Chandler Hospital earned a score of 95 (out of a possible 100).
Eastern State Hospital, a state-owned facility managed by UK HealthCare, was recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder. It scored an 85.
A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the 16th edition of the HEI, and nearly 2,400 hospitals healthcare facilities in the U.S. were evaluated. Of the active participants, 462 received the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer designation. In 2024, 384 facilities were recognized as LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders after earning a perfect score.
The latest edition of the HEI had the most rigorous criteria since its inception in 2007.
“UK HealthCare received their first Health Equality Index (HEI) Leader status in 2013. Every year from 2016 to the present, UK HealthCare has earned HEI Leader or High Performer status,” said Tukea Talbert, Chief Health Disparities Officer at UK HealthCare. “Being acknowledged as a leader or high performer in this space illustrates our ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.”
Transform Health, located at UK HealthCare - Turfland, is the UK initiative promoting full-scope LGBTQ+ health care, education and research for adults, including inclusive, safe primary care.
“UK has come such a long way on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and quality care, partly due to the guidelines established through the HEI," said Dr. Keisa Fallin-Bennett, clinician lead for Transform Health.
The HEI evaluates and scores health care facilities on detailed criteria within five central pillars:
- Foundational policies and training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care
- LGBTQ+ patient services and support
- Employee Benefits and Policies
- Patient and community engagement
- Responsible citizenship
Some key takeaways from the 2024 HEI:
- 96% of HEI participants can explicitly capture a patient's gender identity in their electronic health records. 93% of HEI participants can explicitly document a patient's sexual orientation in their electronic health records.
- 92% of HEI participants took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+ related events or initiatives in their area.
- 83% of HEI participants provide at least some specific services to meet the needs of transgender patients.
- 71% of HEI participants have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns.
- Only 60% of HEI participants provide employees with training that explicitly reminds them that LGBTQ+ status is confidential patient information.
“The HEI brings tremendous value to our hospital — by giving us the tools and resources to promote our values to our patients, families and staff,” said Marc Woods, UK HealthCare's chief nursing officer for behavioral health. “We participate each year so that we can continue to improve care for LGBTQ+ patients, support our LGBTQ+ staff and strengthen our commitment to promoting diversity throughout Eastern State Hospital and UK HealthCare. We want our community to know that this is a safe and equal place to receive the hope and care that everyone deserves.”
