Patient Demographic Collection
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We ask because we care.
Overlake Medical Center is asking patients new questions about race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/pronouns and disability.
Hospitals share information about patient stays with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Washington law now requires hospital health care providers to ask patients about race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender and disability information.
DOH worked with Washington communities when developing the new categories. This information helps the state understand who uses hospital services and for what reasons. This helps DOH better serve the communities in more meaningful ways.
Overlake’s mission is to provide compassionate care for every life we touch. We are committed to health equity, which means everyone has a just and fair opportunity to attain their optimal health, regardless of their race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, citizenship status, religion or ZIP code.
WHY WE ASK
Your answers to these questions help public health and Overlake staff better understand your health needs and improve treatment for all patients. Public health and Overlake officials want to know who is most affected by inequalities in healthcare access, healthcare quality and health outcomes. When we know how communities use the hospital, we can plan how to best help communities. Healthcare inequalities are complex. The more we understand, the better we can be.
YOU GET TO DECIDE
It’s up to you whether you answer these questions. While we must ask you all the questions, you aren’t required to answer them. For questions you don’t want to answer, you can choose “Patient declined to respond.” We hope you’ll answer these questions so we can better serve you and all community members.
HOW WILL MY PRIVACY BE PROTECTED?
We want everyone to feel safe answering the questions. Your information is strictly confidential and will be treated as a confidential health record. DOH does not include personal information, like name or date of birth, when reporting information. Sharing your information with us will not impact any benefits you receive from Washington state, like SNAP or Apple Health. This information will not be shared with immigration officials.
To request this information in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.
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