Reflective_Account

Reflective Account of a typical shift This Account includes details of the health and safety at work act 1974, it takes a few different elements of the act and explains them and shows how I put them into practise. A typical Morning Shift for me starts at 7am, at which time I come into work and receive a verbal handover from staff on previous shift and also read up on written notes for service users as well as the communication book for any changes to circumstances. When I have completed the handover and I have informed myself of any changes, I go and greet any service users that are already awake and ask them how their night was and how they slept. Service user A is usually up at 7 am and he will usually still be wearing pyjamas and I communicate with him in a manner of speech supported by sign a long, he will at that time ask for a drink, usually a cup of tea and I ask him to come and make one under my supervision. Service user A is very happy to be independent and make his own drinks however his mobility is limited in one arm and he requires support to ensure risks are kept to a minimum when using hot liquids, I prompt this chap to get his cup and get the drink of his choice out of the cupboard (tea or coffee usually), he puts the coffee or tea in his cup and I ask him if I can pour him some hot water as for health and safety reasons the risk is too great for him to do this task himself, he pours his milk and cools it slightly with cold water and I carry his drink to the table for him, again for health and safety reasons. Service user A requires to go upstairs and with support have a wash and get dressed ready to face the day ahead, he will take himself upstairs when he is ready to get dressed, and I will prompt him to get his towels ready for his wash. This gentleman has a wash every other day and a shower in between as he has skin conditions that is sensitive to too much warm water, so for his wash I prompt this chap to undress his top half and after putting on my PPE (Personal Protective Equipment (typically Vinyl Gloves and a plastic Apron)), I will ready the flannel for him and then let him wash his one side as much as he can and when he is satisfied I will finish off the parts of his upper half he cannot reach because of his arm and hand. The water I use is warm water that is regulated out of the tap and checked once a week to ensure it is at a safe temperature, which is then reported in a special log to ensure accountability and traceability of any problems. Service User A then again washes as much as he can of his lower half while I respect his dignity as far as possible by giving him some space to do so, however I need to finish off the areas he cannot reach and apply creams where needed. This gent will then brush his own teeth with a small amount of prompting and brush his hair, after which he likes to choose his clothes and will also dress himself with very little help. At all points throughout this process I would communicate well with him and ensure he knows what is going on, what I am asking him to do, and he is also telling me how he wants to get washed and dressed. Service User A then came down and be prompted to make his own breakfast after choosing what he is going to have. He is very capable of making his breakfast although for safety his breakfast will be carried through for him. As the shift progresses I then support other service users, 2 others require personal care support and others need verbal prompts to wash or shave, and then the time approaches to administer Medication. We use the Nomad system to administer medication, which uses a tray with sealed compartments to contain medication for each day and a MAR sheet (medication Administration Record). This method requires 2 members of staff to cross check what is being administered to who, at this point I will be asked to do one of two jobs, job 1 will be standing by the (locked) medication cupboard, I would be required to pass requested medications and check amounts requested by 2nd member of staff and confirm who the medication is for and that it is going to be administered at the correct time on the correct day, ensuring that whilst the medication cupboard is open, I remain at the cupboard so it is not left unattended. The 2nd job I may be asked to do is sitting at the table with the MAR sheets, I will then be requesting a certain service users medication as detailed on the MAR sheet, and confirming with first member of staff we have the correct person, at the right time, on the right day and that the medication I’m about to administer is correct, then finally after administering the medication I will sign to say its been administered. All medication is stored in the locked cupboards when not in use and although we don’t use controlled drugs, if we did they would have to be stored in a locked box inside a locked cupboard. Typically after medication, those that go to day placements leave on the minibus, after which it would be time to start cleaning. Cleaning would be done under COSHH regulations, ensuring that chemicals I use are stored in a locked cupboard while I'm not using them, I will also ensure I’m wearing my PPE (vinyl gloves and plastic apron) And that I’m using the correct coloured equipment for what I’m cleaning, so blue cloths and blue mop bucket and mop for bathrooms and toilets. After I have completed my cleaning I will usually make any beds that need making and also sort out any laundry that needs washing, I make sure that any urine soiled laundry is washed separately to other laundry and on a 60 degree cycle, and other laundry is washed on a lower temperature so it doesn’t ruin clothes, these separate items are also stored separately awaiting washing too. Obviously when I’m dealing with dirty laundry I would wear Gloves and an apron and take them off and dispose of them before I deal with clean laundry to prevent cross contamination. Later in my shift it would be time to prepare lunch, and assist those who can to make their own lunch. I do however be mindful of food hygiene regulations and ensure I have washed hands and I’m wearing the aprons/tabards provided and that the correct coloured equipment is used appropriately, i.e. white chopping board for bread buttering to make sandwiches. I would also be asking service users to be mindful of hand washing and wearing aprons wherever possible and appropriate, health and safety plays a big part in the kitchen with so many potentially dangerous situations with sharp knives, hot pans and surfaces and liquids, so I am continually assessing the risks as well as enforcing previous risk assessments in individual care plans. After lunch typical I would then begin to think about writing reports for the shift and making notes of any happenings and also providing information for a staff handover. Service user reports are a continual report of how that service user is and comments on their health (also referring attention to the Health Action Plan) and general well being as well as moods and unusual behaviour / concerns. I am also required to fill in diet sheets that record what each individual eats at what time and on what day, I also have to complete select other forms that are for individual requirements. A big issue I am mindful of whilst completing paperwork is confidentiality, I need to ensure that sensitive written information remains locked away when not in use so that other service users or visitors to the home are unable to access information that should not be accessed. Generally throughout a working day and between jobs I would provide activities and spend time for/with service users and monitor needs and wants throughout the shift, a popular activity is singing and dancing and listening to music, however I am mindful of dancing and movement so injury does not occur, I continually assess risk as the activity progresses. Typically this draws my shift to a close, my final task is to handover to next staff team and say goodbye to service users.