Best Practices for Person-Centered Nursing Care of LGBTQ+ Adults

Nurses must provide high-quality, culturally relevant clinical care to all patients, including those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities, as well as those who have other gender identities and sexual orientations (the + in LGBTQ+). The purpose of this article is to review best practices for person-centered care of LGBTQ+ patients and enable nurses to become effective allies for and deliver culturally relevant, evidence-based care to LGBTQ+ patients. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of essential LGBTQ+ terminology and how intersectionality affects health care. Practical considerations in inpatient settings are addressed, including recognition of chosen families, strategies to support patient health care autonomy, effective bedside handoffs, and transition considerations. Social, ethical, legal, and accreditation implications for nursing practice when caring for LGBTQ+ individuals are also examined. This article aims to provide nurses with the knowledge to create more inclusive and affirming health care environments, navigate unique inpatient challenges, and understand the broader implications of providing care to LGBTQ+ patients.