Advocacy at work!

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I had an incredible conversation with the team in my ER today. The charge nurse asked me to take a few minutes to review the admission sheet to see if there were any improvements that could be made. I have learned a lot over the past few years about isolation of the trans and queer communities and what gender affirming care can do for a patient’s relationship with a healthcare team. So, I made a gentle suggestion that they have not only a box for sex (to include an option to select “intersex”), but also to include a box for gender (including not only man or woman, but also gender nonconforming). I figured that if they hate me for it, I’m only going to be on the unit another day and I can live with that. 


They didn’t hate me for it. It turns out, the charge nurse is the gender point person for quality improvement and she had not thought of adding this box, but was totally for it! She even had me present the idea to the nursing team at endorsement (shift handoff)!


In response to my suggestion, one of the nurses said that people might be scared that we ask this and concerned it may lead to discrimination. Instinctively, I responded that it is then our responsibility as the care team to be sure that such information does not result in discrimination and that we be sure to affirm that we request this information only to be able to provide greater quality of care to our patients and to be respectful of their identity. 


They loved it. (At least to my face.) But even if they hated it, a member of the team who is a trans woman appreciated that it was at least being discussed. And at least now the team has heard that this is where the trends are headed, and that it is hip to be considerate of gender identity. I am so grateful for the people who have taught me how to be an advocate for all populations. And I really hope that if this change is actually made, it can be the start to a more inclusive healthcare environment in my hospital. 

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