EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Transcription

1 EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT Business Division/Directorate: Estates and Facilities Name of Service/Title of Policy or Strategy, Name of Event: Latex and Occupational Dermatitis Policy Incorporating Glove Selection Equality Assessment Undertaken by: Service: Policy: Event: Strategy: Date undertaken: Alan Irwin - Trust Health and Safety Lead 14/06/2016 Questions 1. What are the main aims and purposes of the Service? Minimise the risk to staff of latex allergy, allergy to chemicals in gloves, soaps and disinfectants used in healthcare provision Support staff with latex allergy and dermatitis with information and a safer working environment In exceptional circumstances where there is a requirement to use latex gloves have a skin and health and surveillance programme in place to recognise latex allergy early among staff and report and control harm relating to dermatitis Promote the appropriate choice and use of gloves, detergents, disinfectants and good hand hygiene to reduce dermatitis and the incidence of healthcare acquired infections to staff and patients To provide such training and education to link all applicable staff in the recognition of dermatitis and other skin sensitisers as appropriate 2. Who is involved in delivering the service? (i.e., partnerships, stakeholders or agencies) The Trust Board The Chief Executive Executive Directors, Assistant Directors and Senior Managers Trust Health and Safety Lead Managers / Heads of Departments All Staff 3. What information / data or experience can you draw on to provide an indication of the potential inclusive / exclusive results of delivering this service or event / implementing the policy or strategy to different groups of people and the different needs of people with protected characteristics in relation to this service? Allergy to latex protein has emerged as a significant health problem for hospital staff and patients due to the increased use of latex in clinical environments. Latex is used in the manufacture of many medical products commonly used in healthcare settings such as gloves, catheters, tubing, tourniquets, bandages and resuscitation equipment. Latex is recognised as a sensitiser and a substance hazardous to health as defined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) Regulations. Associated health problems include Immediate Type 1 Latex Allergy and allergic contact dermatitis which will require health surveillance. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consider that work related dermatitis is a significant cause of work related ill health particularly in healthcare working environments. An independent survey conducted by the HSE suggested that up to 100,000 nurses consider themselves to have

2 suffered work related skin damage. This can include dermatitis due to known sensitisers such as latex as well as irritant dermatitis which can be caused by frequent hand washing and frequent contact with soaps, detergents and other agents. Please use the following table to indicate the impact for the policy for the protected characteristics Protected Characteristics Age Positive Negative Reasons for treated promptly regardless of Age. treated promptly regardless of disability. Disability Risk Assesments should be carried out on staff / patients who have a declared disability. Gender reassignment treated promptly regardless of gender. Marriage and civil partnership treated promptly regardless of gender. treated promptly regardless of pregnancy. Pregnancy and maternity It is the responsibility of managers to complete a risk assessment with the individual concerned and alert First Aider if required to any potential risks identified.. Race treated promptly regardless of race.

3 Protected Characteristics Positive Negative Reasons for treated promptly regardless of religion or belief. Religion or belief If the staff member / patient is unable to communicate with First Aider, it is the managers responsibility to relay any crucial information i.e. Jehovah's Witness, Jew.. any other religion or belief that may permit certain medical interventions. Sex treated promptly regardless of sex. Sexual Orientation treated promptly regardless of sexual orientation. Disadvantaged groups treated promptly regardless of social status. 4. What positive impacts are there for this service to better meet the needs of people with protected characteristics? The glove of first choice in the Trust will be non-latex. The reasons staff need to wear gloves as personal protective equipment (PPE) is: To provide a protective barrier To prevent contamination of the hands To prevent transmission of disease To protect against harmful substances As a result of knowledge and developments connected with the use of latex gloves in consultation with the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Team a review was undertaken into the type and

4 range of Trust activities where glove use occurs. As a result a decision was made to cease the use of latex gloves in the Trust. The Purchasing (Procurement) Department has therefore placed a block to prevent the ordering of any supplies of latex gloves unless there is a justified clinical requirement. See 1.7. In exceptional circumstances, where there is clinical requirement to use latex gloves, the use of such gloves must be justified through a risk (PPE / COSHH) assessment process. The risk of contracting dermatitis must also be assessed as part of any COSHH risk assessment process. Any latex gloves used must be low protein and un-powdered. Staff at risk must be identified and placed under appropriate health surveillance as outlined in this policy. 5. What action would be needed to ensure the service overcomes: Discriminatory negative impacts Exclusion Failure to meet the needs of people from across the protected characteristics and opportunities for promoting equality and inclusion are maximised. Prior to any intervention, procedure or task the choice of glove should be made as result of risk assessment including the risk to the patient and consideration given to the following factors: The likelihood of exposure to blood, bodily fluids, secretions and excretions The potential for contact with broken skin Potential infectious agents The length of the procedure Whether or not a sterile glove is required Sensitisation of the patient / health care worker Contact with chemicals or drugs The need for dexterity and tactility Whether latex gloves is required or a safer alternative could be used Based on the risk assessments factors and the following guidance the appropriate type of glove can be selected for the particular intervention, procedure or task: Glove selection in general clinical settings- Vinyl examination gloves should not be used in a clinical setting Non-sterile nitrile glove should be worn for procedures where there is risk of exposure to blood or body fluids Sterile nitrile gloves should be used for procedures where a sterile field and high barrier protection is required 6. Recommended steps to avoid discrimination and ensure opportunities for promoting equality and inclusion are maximised. Include: Options for action Explanation if no further action is required Lead responsible for overseeing actions Timescales Costs (where applicable) Safety Team to attend regular updates of Equality Act Awareness every 3 years or legislation or updates 7. Monitoring and reporting arrangements of EIA, for policies and strategies refer to section 7 of the Policy for the Development and Management of Procedural Documents.

5 For services / events please include the following: How the equality impact of the service will be monitored Completion of an annual safety Team environmental inspectiomn to ensure glove use / provision is being implemented. Completion of regular medical devices audit Frequency of monitoring.annually How the monitoring results will be used and where they will be published; Annual ckeck to keep records up tp date/ Learning and development ESR. Who will be responsible for reviewing monitoring results and initiating further action where required The Health, Safety and Security Forum Any changes that have been made to remove or reduce any negative impacts as a result of conducting the equality impact assessment? Any action points should be included in Business Division / Corporate action plans, with monitoring and review processes. Is further work / consultation required? If yes, please explain how this is to be carried out and the time frame for completion. Yes No The Equality Assessment will be reviewed in line with changes to services, client or staff groups, legislation or policy review. Name: Alan Irwin Designation: Trust Health and Safety Lead Signature: D A Irwin Date: