Originally approved June 2022
As an adjunct to this policy statement, ACEP has prepared a policy resource and education paper (PREP) titled “A Guide to Caring for Patients Who Identify as Transgender and Gender Diverse in the Emergency Department”
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is committed to equitable, culturally competent, and knowledgeable treatment of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients receiving care in the emergency department (ED).
ACEP believes that:
- Gender-affirming care is supported by evidence and by the medical community. TGD patients should have access to comprehensive gender-affirming health care that is provided in a safe and inclusive clinical setting.
- Emergency physicians need to be knowledgeable and aware of the unique needs and best practices related to care of TGD patients of all ages in the ED. Emergency physicians, patients, and their support structure should engage in shared-decision making based on scientific evidence and best practices regarding appropriate medical care.
- EDs should foster and develop practices, policies, and accessible resources that provide a supportive and inclusive environment for TGD patients, including removing structural barriers to care.
- Hospitals should provide ongoing education, training, and resources to all emergency physicians and ED staff related to best practices and the care of TGD patients.
- Emergency physicians must be able to practice high quality, objective evidence-based emergency medical care without legislative, regulatory, or judicial interference in the physician-patient relationship.
