Carle Health receives designation from LGBTQ group
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Carle Health leaders are highlighting a study on their hospitals showing their safe and supportive healthcare practices for the LGBTQ community.
The LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Foundation measures healthcare systems with its Health Equality Index to rank hospitals on their inclusivity for patients. The index rates policies of healthcare organizations in four areas: non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement
Out of 100 points, Carle’s hospitals in Urbana, Hoopeston, Normal, and Eureka all received scores of 85. Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney received an 80, while their hospitals in Peoria and Pekin scored 70 points.
Carle leaders say the designation is important to show their quality care.
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“It was important as a trusted healthcare organization that we not only welcome everyone to receive quality care at Carle Health, but we have a designation that demonstrates that we have the processes and culture in place that can truly deliver on that promise,” Theresa Green, Carle’s Patient Experience director, said. “The HEI designation is an important symbol to both our patients and team members that Carle Health is a safe and affirming place to give and receive care. It reinforces our mission and values to offer individualized care to everyone we serve.”
This is the first time Carle applied to the designation. Officials said all eight of their hospitals are working to improve care for their communities.
“Healthcare is so personal and we know there is a complex history that many underserved communities have with the larger healthcare industry,” said Amy Delaney, Carle’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion director. “That’s why in addition to our focus on offering team members education and resources while working with community partners to update clinical practices to better address inequalities, benchmarks like HEI help us asses opportunities for growth and to build on what’s going well.”
The full Healthcare Equity Index can be found on HRC’s website.
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