Hospitals are making some progress to achieve health equity, but more work needs to be done, according to a biennial benchmarking survey released June 22 by the AHA’s Institute for Diversity in Health Management. The survey found significant increases from 2013 in the percentage of hospitals that are using data on patient race, ethnicity and language to identify gaps in care and implement programs to improve quality. The progress is good, but still, fewer than half of hospitals surveyed used the data in this way.
Other bright spots in the report: 80 percent of hospitals educate all clinical staff during orientation about how to address the unique cultural and linguistic factors affecting the care of patients, and 79 percent offer continuing education opportunities on cultural competence. Click here to read more from the American Hospital Association.
