Washington – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today lauds The Joint Commission’s release of a new field guide on LGBT patient-centered care. The guide, titled “Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community,” urges U.S. hospitals to create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for LGBT patients and their families. The Joint Commission is the nation’s largest accrediting organization for healthcare facilities, responsible for accrediting and certifying more than 19,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The field guide is available for download at www.jointcommission.org/lgbt.

“We applaud The Joint Commission’s work to advance LGBT healthcare equality through its accreditation standards and now this new field guide on LGBT patient-centered care,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Too often members of the LGBT community face discrimination while accessing healthcare or avoid seeking healthcare altogether. Every hospital in the U.S. should take advantage of the resources available in this guide and ensure that LGBT patients and families get the care they deserve.”

The field guide points healthcare facilities to the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) as a resource on best practices in LGBT patient-centered care. The annual HEI surveys and rates respondents on their policies and practices related to LGBT patients and families. Facilities throughout the nation look to the HEI for up-to-date assistance in providing equitable, inclusive care to LGBT patients and families. Completing the HEI can also help hospitals comply with The Joint Commission standards addressing non-discrimination, and new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid regulations on visitation.

The HEI 2012 survey is now open and available for completion. Healthcare administrators can obtain information on how to participate in the HEI 2012 survey at www.hrc.org/hei.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.