Anti-Discrimination for Patient Care Policy

Purpose

Tuesday Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), sex age, or disability.   

Tuesdays Health’s commitment to anti-discrimination comes from the following principles, which are core to our mission:  

1. Equal Treatment: Every patient will receive the same high standard of care, without discrimination or prejudice.
2. Respect for Diversity: We recognize and value the diversity of our patient population and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and respected.
3. Accessibility: Our services are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. We will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that all patients can access the care they need.
4. Language Assistance Services and Appropriate Auxiliary Aids: We provide language assistance services and appropriate auxiliary aids and services free of charge. For more information, see Language Assistance Services Policy.

 

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and affiliates of Tuesday Health, including those working in administrative, clinical, and support roles. This policy encompasses all interactions and services provided to patients and their families across all facilities, departments, and programs operated by Tuesday Health. 

Policy

Treatment: All patients will be treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect. Discriminatory behavior, including offensive language or actions, will not be tolerated.  

Confidentiality: Patient information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and will only be shared with authorized individuals to provide care. Discrimination based on the disclosure of sensitive information is strictly prohibited.  

Accessibility: We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate patients with disabilities’ needs, including communication support. If a patient with a disability believes they need a reasonable accommodation to access Tuesday Health’s services and activities, they can contact the Section 1557 Coordinator at patrick.forrest@tuesdayhealth.com. The Section 1557 Coordinator shall review the request and determine: (1) whether making the modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the services or activity, and if so, (2) an alternative modification that does not result in a fundamental alteration to ensure the patient with a disability receives the benefits or services in question. The Section 1557 Coordinator will contact the patient within seven calendar days of receiving the reasonable accommodations request form to confirm whether an accommodation was approved and what accommodation was approved.  

Accessible Communications: Annually, Tuesday Health shall train staff on effective communication for individuals with disabilities. Tuesday Health will utilize Propio Telephonic Interpreting Service to communicate with patients who utilize American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. For non-verbal patients who do not utilize ASL shall contact, or have staff help them contact, the Section 1557 Coordinator who shall ensure that Tuesday Health follows the preferences of the patient.  

Complaints Procedure: Patients who believe they have been discriminated against in any way are encouraged to report their concerns promptly. Complaints will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken to address any instances of discrimination. 

Patients may submit a discrimination complaint to Tuesday Health’s Section 1557 Coordinator. All documents related to complaints of violation of this policy shall be kept on file for at least three years after the complaint is delivered to the Section 1557 Coordinator.    

Patients can also file a complaint with HHS-OCR at: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html.  

Training and Education: All staff members will receive training on anti-discrimination policies and procedures to ensure compliance and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect. Training on anti-discrimination policies and procedures will be provided to all employees during onboarding and at least annually thereafter, and regular reviews will be conducted to ensure compliance. 

Implementation

This policy will be communicated to all staff members. Staff shall provide all patients with the contents of this policy at the patient’s first appointment, following amendment of this policy, upon request by the patient, or at least annually, as applicable. The contents of this policy shall also be placed on Tuesday Health’s website.  

Review and Revision  

This policy will be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practices, or organizational needs. Feedback from patients and staff will be considered in the review process to continually improve our efforts to prevent discrimination and promote equality in patient care. 

Consequences of Violation

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including employment termination or patient-provider relationship termination. Additionally, individuals found to have engaged in discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may be subject to legal action. 

Conclusion

Tuesday Health is committed to fostering a patient care environment that values diversity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals. We encourage employees and patients to speak up if they experience or witness any behavior that violates this policy, as we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.