Target Audience: Patients

Purpose: This document provides answers to questions that are frequently asked by patients during the admission/registration process. Hospitals can attach this list of questions and answers to registration forms that patients fill out themselves and may also choose to post this document in the registration area.

Q: WHAT DO MY RACE AND ETHNICITY HAVE TO DO WITH MY HEALTH?
A: Although we are all individual people, our racial and ethnic backgrounds may place us at differing risks for some diseases. We can work to reduce these risks by making sure that everyone gets high quality healthcare.

Q: WHY AM I BEING ASKED THESE QUESTIONS?
A: We are collecting information on race, ethnicity, and language from all of our patients. By knowing more about your racial and ethnic background, we can get a better idea of health risks you may have and we will be better able to meet your health needs.

Q: WHO ARE YOU COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION FROM?
A: We are collecting this information from all patients that we see.

Q: WHAT WILL MY INFORMATION BE USED FOR?
A: By providing us with information on your race, ethnicity, and language, you are helping us to provide better services and programs to you and others like you. For example, with this information, we can provide health information in languages spoken by our patients and offer effective programs that can improve health.

Q: WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
A: It is perfectly alright if you do not want to answer some or all of the questions. However, this information does help our hospital provide better care. Regardless of whether you answer these questions, we will provide you care.

Q: WHO CAN I ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS?
A: The hospital registration staff and their supervisors are happy to answer any questions that you may have about why you are being asked about your race, ethnicity, and language.

Q: WHO WILL SEE MY INFORMATION?
A: The only people who will see your information are members of your care team and others who are authorized to see your medical record.

Q: WHAT IF I BELONG TO MORE THAN ONE RACE?
A: You can check off all the races you belong to.

Q: WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW MY RACE OR ETHNICITY?
A: If you don't know your race or ethnicity, you can leave those questions blank.