Note, this article is the second in a series recognizing the steps Washington hospitals are taking to comply with patient sexual orientation and gender identity legislation passed in 2021. Read Part I: Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center
At EvergreenHealth, feeling seen and respected is the foundation of patient trust and care — and those values are deeply embedded in their mission and vision. When approaching new collection requirements for patient-reported sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, Evergreen recognized the importance of supporting staff as an extension of the community they serve. Critically, Evergreen’s culture focuses on employee comfort and confidence in bringing their LGBTQ+ experiences to and fostering allyship with EvergreenHealth.
Unwavering support from leadership is key to Evergreen’s SOGI success. Senior staff actively participated in creating demonstration videos helping normalize asking patients for SOGI information. The videos built staff confidence, with scripting and opportunities to practice sensitive conversations. The collective approach strengthened internal process and reinforced the importance of SOGI to better understand LGBTQ+ community needs.
Evergreen offers virtual classes on key topics multiple times per year, open to patients, parents, families and community members at no cost. Sessions examine common terminology, health disparities and how to better support LGBTQ+ youth, family and neighbors.
“I find people really want this information but may not know where to find it or what to ask,” said Deborah Sleeman, EvergreenHealth SOGI class instructor. “Attendees appreciate the combination of compassion, practicality and knowledge we provide and leave feeling more confident in supporting LGBTQ+ folks in their lives. We’re meeting an important need in our community.”
Looking ahead, while EvergreenHealth policies already promote equity, the hospital recognizes the need to be more specific related to LGBTQ+ inclusion practices that hold them accountable and sustain progress long-term. Participating in the WSHA Patient-Centered SOGI Data Collection Continuous Improvement Recognition program allowed the team to reflect on what they have achieved so far.
“We were able to see progress and it gave us reminders of things further down our list,” EvergreenHealth Director of Patient Experience Anne Grill said. “This is culture change. There will be people resistant, but moving forward and continuing the conversation with data and education is key.” (Abigail Berube)
