INITIAL EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROFORMA FOR POLICY
POLICY:
Guidelines for the Control of Glycopeptide Resistant Enterococcus (GRE) in Hospital
Equality Impact Assessment completed by: Dr C Bates
Date: 2nd February 2010
Who has been consulted?
Infection Control Team
Infection Control Committee
Describe the aims, objectives and purpose of the policy service being assessed:
To inform staff of the infection prevention and control requirements for GRE and to enable staff to fulfil their duties and responsibilities in
respect of this organism
Who is intended to benefit?
Staff, patients and the public by ensuring consistency of approach to this organism
Does the policy have any differential impact on the following equality areas?
Race/Ethnicity
Gender (including pregnancy/ maternity and
gender reassignment)
Disability
Positive, Negative or Neutral Impact
Neutral
Neutral
Supporting evidence/data
The guidelines apply equally to all patients
The guidelines generally apply equally to both sexes.
Positive
The guidelines highlight that prolonged hospital stay and
certain underlying medical conditions increase the risk of
patients carrying or being infected with this organism. This
should result in clinical benefit to them, ensuring the
diagnosis is made in a timely manner.
 The guidelines apply equally to all patients.
 Although the guidelines apply equally to all patients the
fact that a patient’s movements may be restricted in the
interest of patient /public safety, means it may not be
possible for a patient to visit the multi faith prayer
room/chapel. This will be a rare occurrence. Alternative
arrangements will be considered according to individual
need.
 Some staff may have to remove items of religious clothing
to wear protective equipment, however this is justifiable in
the interests of control of infection/patient safety.
The guidelines apply equally to all patients
The guidelines apply equally to all patients.
 The guidelines apply equally to all patients.
 To control the spread of these infections, patients may be
cared for in single rooms with some restriction as to the
patient’s movements within the hospital. In addition gloves
and aprons may be worn by staff and visitors. Some
patients may feel stigmatised by this approach but it is
necessary for the safety of staff and other patients.
 Some patients may actually prefer to be cared for in a
single room which can be seen as a benefit to them.
 To enable rapid identification of patients previously
carrying this organism, the patient’s hospital files may be
labelled to alert staff to this fact. This should result in
clinical benefit to the patient, ensuring that this information
is taken into account when diagnosis and management of
the current admission is being determined. However, some
Religion or belief
Negative
Sexual orientation
Age
Dignity & Human Rights
Neutral
Neutral
Negative/Positive


Social Deprivation / Tackling Health Inequality
Neutral



patients may feel stigmatised by this approach but it is
necessary for the safety of other patients and, as state
above, is of clinical benefit to the patient themselves.
In certain circumstances further samples will be required to
enable ongoing screening for the organism. Some patients
may feel stigmatised by this approach but it is necessary
for the safety of other patients and is of clinical benefit to
the patient themselves.
Should the patient be transferred to another health-care
facility the Trust may inform the receiving establishment of
the fact that the patients may be/is carrying/infected with
this organism. This is in line with national
recommendations and will only occur if required on clinical
or infection control grounds.
The guidelines apply equally to all patients.
Where available local guidelines are based on national
guidelines/policies and advice from professional bodies
By their very nature the guidelines are designed to ensure
a consistent approach across the Trust
Please identify what further action is required e.g. collection of data, full impact assessment
Action
Timescale
The effectiveness of the policy will be monitored and evaluated after
implementation and any appropriate actions identified at that time.
Approved by:
Prof H Scholefield
Lead Person
Dr C Bates.
Date of review:
March 2012