BREAKING – Joint Commission Releases Historic Field Guide on LGBT Health Care

Posted on November 8, 2011 by The Network for LGBT Health Equity

Daniella Matthews-Trigg, Program Associate
Exciting News, Joint Commission Releases New Guide to LGBT Health!
Drum roll, please…
Today the Joint Commission released a historic guide to LGBT health disparities: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field Guide.

The Joint Commission, the organization responsible for accrediting Health centers and Hospitals, has a history of going above and beyond for LGBT rights. If you may remember, last July the Joint Commission started to require that all hospitals have LGBT non discriminations policies in order to maintain their accreditation. This new guide is their most recent commitment to the health and well-being of our community.


The Field Guide is designed to help hospitals and health centers provide better, more culturally competent care for LGBT patients and their families. It focuses on identifying areas that need improvement, as well as provides resources and information to “strengthen outreach efforts to the LGBT community”. Additionally, the field guide can be used as an educational tool for training staff, and for “compliance efforts related to laws, regulations and standards”.

The Network is so excited to have been involved in the creation of this important resource, and we want to thank all of you for your suggestions and responses to our action alert related to the guide.

United we spoke, and our voices were heard… Let’s all keep up the good work!

For an expanded read, check out posting link at
http://lgbthealthequity.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/breaking-joint-commission-releases-historic-field-guide-on-lgbt-health-care/. Reposted at keystothecloset.blogspot.com