Implementing Use of SOGI Data Into Daily Practice

Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information is used to communicate respectfully with our patients, support their health care needs and build trust.

Phase I of our efforts focused on SOGI data collection in inpatient and primary care settings. Thanks to our caring and dedicated staff, we’ve seen a significant increase in SOGI data collection over the past few months. We appreciate your partnership to help improve overall patient experience.

Phase II: SOGI SmartForm

To build on that success, by Tuesday, Jan. 31, Phase II work will help improve the SOGI SmartForm workflow for navigators, including:

• OB/GYN (visit navigators)
• OR (pre-surgical testing and pre-op navigators)
• Labor and Delivery (triage-admit navigators)
• Cardiology and Radiology (procedure navigators)

The purpose of these workflow updates is to increase efficiency, help create a more welcoming and affirming environment and support clinical decision-making.

Increasing Efficiency

Patients’ pronouns and preferred names are prominently displayed within the medical chart in Storyboard. However, staff aren’t always in the medical chart when interacting with a patient. . As a result, we’ve received feedback from patients that indicates we aren’t consistently using their preferred names, even when they are documented in the chart.

“We strive to serve our patients efficiently. As a direct result of patient feedback, we’re ensuring all Epic tools consistently identify patient preferred names,” said Kim Roe, vice president of Family and Community Medicine. “Integrating broader patient communication initiatives helps inform us about patient concerns, research solutions and ultimately improve health outcomes in our community.”

You should see the patient’s legal name appended with their preferred name in quotes in the following areas:

• Patient Lists and Schedules
• Greaseboards, Trackboards and Statusboards
• Unit Census and DARs (department appointment reports)

If you don’t see preferred location names by Wednesday, Feb. 1, contact Technology Services Group for update requests at 540-224-1599.

Creating a More Welcoming and Affirming Environment

It is best practice to use a patient’s preferred name any time you speak to—or about—them. This includes all verbal and written communication. Using a patient’s preferred name confirms that we care for the whole person, rather than just their diagnosis or treatment plan. Increasing the visibility of preferred names in Epic makes it even easier to do so. There is a downloadable flyer available for best practices for using gender-inclusive language.

Supporting Clinical Decision-Making

Consistently documenting SOGI data gives providers more information on which to base clinical decisions. In particular, creating a standard way to document medical histories for transgender, intersex and nonbinary patients can prevent clinically relevant information from being overlooked and helps clinicians provide care tailored to these patients' unique needs. This data can specifically impact:

• Lab reference ranges
• Medication dosing
• Health maintenance
• Certain tests or procedures

To support clinical decision making, a Best Practice Advisory (BPA) appears for ordering providers, pharmacists and radiology techs when there is documented SOGI data that may impact clinical care. The BPA displays when a patient’s legal sex, gender identity or sex assigned at birth are not correlated. Providers can access the SOGI SmartForm directly from the BPA to review or update data.

If you have questions, please reach out to Todd Null and Dawn Murray, Education and Organizational Development, at SOGI_Help@carilionclinic.org.