At Samaritan, we work hard to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Click on the buttons below to read through our Admissions Policies.
Preadmitting
We believe that admission to our hospital should be both simple and quick. The first step is that your doctor makes a reservation for you. If the doctor’s reservation is made a few days before your scheduled admission, we may call you for more information to make your admission faster on the day you arrive.
Health Equity and Patient Information We Collect
At Samaritan Healthcare, ensuring health equity for all patients is a key part of fulfilling our mission of serving as the trusted regional healthcare partner.
Health equity means that all people have the opportunity to receive high-quality, compassionate care based on their needs regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and other factors.
Like many other groups, the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning) community often experiences poor health outcomes and discrimination in health care settings.
In Washington, 5.2 percent of the population — or about 305,000 people — openly identify as LGBTQ+. Others who identify as LGBTQ+ do not always feel safe to disclose their sexuality or gender identity due to fear of discrimination or harm. One way we can provide this community with better care is to include information in each patient’s record about their sexual orientation, gender identity and pronouns (SOGI-P).
To meet Washington State Department of Health requirements and provide equitable care to all patients, Samaritan Healthcare will ask questions that may be new to you. Designated as a best practice for improving care for the LGBTQ+ community, there are a number of benefits:
- It helps providers give all patients the care that is right for them.
- It ensures all patients are addressed in a way that makes them most comfortable.
- It allows our health care system to better understand health care issues and disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ patients.
While reporting demographic data to the state is mandatory for hospitals, patient participation is voluntary. Hospitals are required to notify patients that providing this information is voluntary per RCW 43.70.052(6)(a). You are not required to answer these questions.
You get to decide: It is up to you whether you answer these questions. We must ask them to be compliant with Washington State law (HB 1272), but you are not required to answer. For questions that you do not wish to answer, you can reply with “decline” or “pass.”
Why we ask: Your answers to these questions will assist in identifying and addressing health disparities in Washington State. In addition to meeting the Washington State Department of Health’s requirements, our concern and response to this growing crisis runs much deeper. Understanding that some of our families may not see the need to inquire at such a personal level, we have found that asking these questions centered around belonging allows us to combat the effects of depression as well as rising suicide rates within the LGBTQ+ population. Asking these questions initiates the road to belonging for those who may be struggling and feel misunderstood.
Below are some questions you will be asked during scheduling and registration:
- What is your legal name?
- What is your preferred name?
- What sex were you assigned at birth?
- What is your legal sex? (gender on ID card)
- What is your gender identity?
- What pronouns do you use?
- What is your race?
- Hispanic ethnicity?
- What is your language?
- Do you have a disability?
Samaritan Healthcare does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, disability, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
Who to contact with questions
If you believe Washington State’s Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 1272 (WAC 246-455-025) violates your rights or you have specific questions regarding this law, please contact your legislative representative or Washington State Department of Health at CHARSGeneral@doh.wa.gov.
If you believe Samaritan Healthcare is noncompliant with this law or your rights have been violated at Samaritan Healthcare due to discriminatory action or bias, please contact Samaritan Healthcare’s Compliance department at:
Toll-Free Telephone:
English (855) 400-6002
Spanish (800) 216-1288
Email: Reports@lighthouse-services.com
Website: https://www.lighthouse-services.com/samaritanhealthcare
When You Arrive
On the day of admission, you will come directly to the information desk located in the hospital lobby on the 1st floor. The information desk attendee will direct you to the admitting office.
Please bring your insurance card and picture identification with you, as well as the name and phone number of your primary care physician. If a different physician has referred you to Samaritan for treatment, please bring that doctor’s name and phone number as well.
It is also important for us to know about any prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking, as well as any vitamins or herbal supplements.
Stork Express Pre-Registration
Are you expecting to deliver a baby at Samaritan Hospital? Our Stork Express pre-registration is now available to print and fill out in the comfort of your own home. Once completed, please return by mail or fax to:
Samaritan Hospital Admitting Department
801 E. Wheeler Rd
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Fax: 509.764.3218
Click on the button below to download the Stork Express Form.
Death With Dignity Act
- Washington law recognizes certain rights and responsibilities of qualified patients and health care providers under the Death with Dignity Act (“Act”). Under Washington law, a health care provider, including Samaritan Healthcare, is not required to assist a qualified patient in ending that patient’s life.
- Samaritan Healthcare has chosen to not participate under the Death with Dignity Act . This means that in the performance of their duties, Samaritan Healthcare physicians, medical staff, employees, independent contractors and volunteers shall not assist a patient in ending the patient’s life under the Act. In addition, no provider may participate on the premises of the hospital or in property owned by the hospital.
- No patient will be denied other medical care or treatment because of the patient’s participation under the Act. The patient will be treated in the same manner as all other Samaritan Healthcare patients. The appropriate standard of care will be followed.
- Any patient wishing to receive life-ending medication while a patient at this hospital will be assisted in transfer to another facility of the patient’s choice. The transfer will assure continuity of care.
- All providers at Samaritan Healthcare are expected to respond to any patient’s query about life-ending medication with openness and compassion. Samaritan Healthcare believes our providers have an obligation to openly discuss the patient’s concerns, unmet needs, feelings, and desires about the dying process. Providers should seek to learn the meaning behind the patient’s questions and help the patient understand the range of available options, including but not limited to comfort care, hospice care, and pain control. Ultimately, Samaritan Healthcare’s goal is to help patients make informed decisions about end-of-life care.
Click on the button below to view the policy.
Reproductive Health
Samaritan Healthcare complies with the Reproductive Privacy Act, a state law that requires a public hospital district that elects to provide maternity care benefits, services or information through a program administered or funded by the public hospital district, to also provide substantially equivalent pregnancy termination benefits, services or information.
Samaritan Healthcare also complies with its responsibilities under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, 42 U.S.C. §1395dd
Samaritan Healthcare also complies with RCW 70.41.350, Emergency Care Provided to Victims of Sexual Assault.
The Reproductive Privacy Act contains a “conscience clause” acknowledging that no person may be required in any circumstance to participate in the performance of a pregnancy termination or certain other services. Samaritan Healthcare respects each individual’s right to refuse to participate in aspects of care that violates his or her beliefs. Samaritan Healthcare therefore coordinates care so that services are provided with appropriate staff.
Click on the button below to view the policy.
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