Health & Social Care Practice: A Reflective Account & Action Plan

This assignment presents a reflective account of a critical incident encountered in a healthcare setting, focusing on a situation where colleagues neglected hand hygiene protocols. The reflection utilizes Gibb's reflective cycle, encompassing description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and an action plan. The author, a head nurse, details the incident, their emotional response, and their evaluation of the situation, emphasizing the importance of patient well-being and adherence to hygiene standards. The analysis explores relevant healthcare legislations and the need for maintaining professional conduct and colleague relationships. The conclusion assesses alternative actions and reinforces the chosen approach. The action plan outlines future responses to similar situations, balancing patient safety with collegial relationships. The document concludes with SMART goals for professional development, focusing on building better relationships, enhancing knowledge, and improving time management skills, aiming for overall improvement in healthcare practice. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform providing study tools and resources for students.

Reflection

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................1
Description.............................................................................................................................1
Feeling....................................................................................................................................2
Evaluation...............................................................................................................................2
Analysis..................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................3
Action plan.............................................................................................................................4
ACTION PLAN.........................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Reflection is being regarded as an essential section of the activity of practitioner
because it aims in stimulating the professional for making improvement in the skills as well
as abilities and learning the ways of dealing with the complex conditions. Further, when the
reflection is being applied, the practitioners become more knowledgeable along with self-
assured of their capabilities. In addition to this, the reflective person is also open towards any
sort of interaction in the manner of attaining the best possible solution for the patients
(Freeman and et.al, 2014). Moreover, critical thinking is being regarded as an inseparable
section of the reflective practice. Considering this, the main aim of the current paper is to
reflect on the critical incident which has been occurred while working in the hospital. It will
be going to throw light on one of the incidents that took place wherein two of my colleagues
neglected the rules of hand hygiene. This incident involved an element of safeguarding or the
area of practice like, duty of care. For reflecting the critical incident Gibb’s reflective cycle
model will be utilized. It included six different stages such as description, feeling, evaluation,
analysis, conclusion and action plan. This model will be applied while describing the
reflection on the mentioned incident.
MAIN BODY
Description
I have noticed at my workplace where I am a head nurse that two of my colleagues
most of the time neglects the rules in regards with the hand hygiene. They did not always
wash their hands and even change their gloves when shifting from one kind of a work or a
patient to another kind of work or patient. Many a times, I have also observed that they both
have disrespected the hygiene needs due to the absence of time. For illustration, when there
was a patient delivered by an ambulance and there was not time left for changing the gloves
and washing hands as the life of the patient was in danger and each and every second was
very crucial because it was the critical case. Nevertheless, frequently such type of disregard
happened even when there was not such emergency case. For example, they even not washed
their hands after using bathroom. Soon, after carefully evaluating their patterns of work and
habits, I made a decision to let the in-charge of the department acknowledge in relation with
this situation (Eaton, 2016). Even I also warned my colleagues and asked them to remain
more accountable. Because of my resolution, they got the time to understand their blunders
and faults prior being invited by the in-charge of the department in his office. The in charge
called them and asked them to explain their behaviour. I was also present there and I asked
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the in-charge not to be harsh with them and let them know that even this minor misconduct in
the health and service care might result into damaging outcomes for the patients.
Feeling
As a health practitioner, I was not feeling good with this incident that took place at
my workplace. This is because of the fact that being a health practitioner, one of the first
concern for me was about the health and well-being of the patients. If a medial worker itself
is disregarding and not following the simple hygiene routine and requirements, he or she
might also disobey the rules and regulations which are more complex. Because of the
breaking of these rules, there might be dramatic results on the health and well-being of the
patients at the hospital. At that time, I felt very disappointed as well as distressed. I was not
aware about the ways of finding out the best solution for such situation which will help in
satisfying all the stakeholders. I have also realized at the point of time that the health of the
patient is the first concern for me and even I also comprehended that it is important for me to
have cordial association with my colleagues at the same time (Bulman and Schutz, 2013).
Furthermore, this situation made me frustrated and I started feeling that my colleagues are not
valuing the lives of people to the essential degree.
Evaluation
This experience has permitted me to make both optimistic as well as undesirable
conclusions. I have realized that I was good at the point when I noticed the wrong doings at
my workplace and took the decision to take effective measures for stopping such behaviour.
My fundamental professional instinct is taking care of the patients and in this case, I was
thinking in regards with the health as well as well-being of the patient at the hospital. On the
other side, I was also very disturbed and feeling negative as my decision was not favourable
for my colleagues and pointed out their undesirable behaviour to the in charge of the
department. It might have a negative consequence for them and because of this, I was feeling
very bad. Nevertheless, considering all the facets of this condition, I am of the opinion that I
did the right think thing and I am not wrong at any point of situation. there are chances that
my colleagues will be punished for breaking the duties of care, nonetheless they must not
forget their highest priority and that is welling of the patient as a healthcare professional
(Thompson and Pascal, 2018). Furthermore, this incident will teach them a lesson and I am
expecting that will be more thoughtful in regards with their hygiene in the coming future.
Moreover, this minor case will teach them to remain cautious about the major cases. Due to
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this, they will not forget that the health and well-being of the patient in in their hands and
they should comply with all the rules for offering the best care to the patients.
Analysis
This particular incident has taught me different lessons. Firstly, it is vital to remember
the rules, regulation, legislations and code of practice under any situation. There are different
legislations regarding the health, care and hygiene of the patient such as Health and Social
Care Act 2008, Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974, Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and Food Safety (General
Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995. All these legislations, act and code of practice needs to be
adhered for promotion of dignity in health and social care of the patients (Health and safety
legislation, 2022). Even though I didn’t desire to hurt the feeling of my colleagues as I was
firstly thinking about the health and safety of the patient. In addition to this, I have also
realized after noticing the misbehaviour of my colleagues that other people might see my
performance as well and this, this case me taught me to remain cautious in regards with the
rules as well as obligations. One more thing that I tool from this incident was that it is quite
essential to keep the good terms with other or colleagues. Even though I was disapproving the
misbehaviour of my colleagues, I did not report this directly. However, I have explained
everything to them and focussed on the importance of their right behaviour. I even did each
and everything for maintaining the favourable association with my co-workers.
Conclusion
Thus, from this incident it can be attributed that I could have made two other
resolutions that I might have either consulted first with my colleagues regarding their wrong
behaviour being noticed by me and ask them to stop or I could have complained to the in-
charge nurse and not warn them. In the first scenario, I might have got the respect from the
co-workers and hear a promise that such issues will never going to take place again.
Nevertheless, I might not be sure in regards with their conscientiousness in the near future.
On the other hand, in the second case, my colleagues would consider me as a traitor who
reported on them without telling them the whole situations. Both these decisions were worse
than the one which I have taken. My resolution was the most appropriate and have also
encompasses the consideration of each and every side of the situation. Furthermore, I have
also learned that as a health practitioner, it is very important to consider all the hygiene
routine along with related legislation and code of practice for demonstrating enhanced care to
the patient as well as awareness of safe, ethical and moral practice.
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Action plan
In future, if this kind of situation will take place again than I will cerate a same kind
of a situation. If in the near time or future, I will see any violations of rules and regulations
which might put the health and well-being of the patient under threat than I will let the
authorities know about that, however at the same time, I will reveal my intention to the
colleagues being involved. I also believe that this is being regarded as the most appropriate
way of such practice problems or issue. The health of the patient is my first priority; however,
I also desire to have cordial association with my colleagues.
ACTION PLAN
Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timebound
To build better
relationship with my
team and colleagues
This goal can
be achieved by
me through
encouragement
of two-way
communication
with my team
members and
colleagues,
decreasing the
level of
conflicts and
learning some
coaching skills
This can be
measured in
terms when
there is less
conflict at the
workplace and
better
understanding
within the
team members,
my colleagues
come to me
when there is a
problem and
all issues are
resolved
This goal can
be attained by
booking a
coaching
course,
prioritizing the
team members
weekly one on
ones and
scheduling and
participating
in team
building
activities
Enhanced and
cordial
association
with the team
members and
colleagues will
support in
better
achievement of
the goals of the
department and
will render
better care to
patient at the
same time
This goal
will be
attained by
me within 2
to 4 months
To improve my
knowledge and
understanding
regarding offering
better care and
hygiene to patients
For achieving
this goal, I will
attend classes
and seminars
in relation with
providing
better care and
I will gain a
good
knowledge as
well as
comprehension
of the ways of
providing
This goal will
be achieved
through
enrolling into
the classes or
seminars
related to
Making
improvement in
this area and
attending
different
classes and
seminars will
This goal
will be
attained by
me within 2
months
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hygiene to the
patients
enhanced care
and support to
the patients at
my workplace
relevant
programme
help in
augmenting my
knowledge and
will result into
my personal as
well as
professional
development
and growth
To improve my time
management skills
Time
management
skills can be
developed by
learning
delegating
tasks, taking
regular breaks
and attending
courses
This can be
measured
when task will
be completed
on time (Blair
and Deacon,
2015)
This goal will
be achieved by
attending the
course and
training
related to
learning
delegation of
task and
setting
priorities
Learning upon
effective time
management
skills will
support in
enhancing the
overall
productivity,
boost
confidence
level and task
will be
completed on
time
This goal
will be
attained by
me within 6
months
CONCLUSION
Thus, from the above evaluation, it can be concluded that this reflective analysis and
writing has helped in adjusting the manner in which I evaluated this critical incidence that
took place at my workplace. Through this, I was also able to learn about my strengths as well
as weaknesses and was in a position to search out the areas which needs to be improved
significantly as a HealthCare professional. In addition to this, I was also able to consolidate
the novel abilities and skills that I had learnt and put in place in this issue. I also got the
understanding that it is very important for the health practitioner to consider all the hygiene
routine along with related legislation and code of practice for demonstrating enhanced care to
the patient as well as awareness of safe, ethical and moral practice. With this, reflective
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process it also became quite evident that good as well as bad working practices can be
analysed and mistakes can be avoided.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Blair, E. and Deacon, A., 2015. A holistic approach to fieldwork through balanced reflective
practice. Reflective Practice. 16(3). pp.418-434.
Bulman, C. and Schutz, S., 2013. Reflective Practice in Nursing. 5thed. Wiley-Blackwell,
Chichester.
Eaton, C., 2016. I don’t get it,” – the challenge of teaching reflective practice to health and
care practitioners. Reflective Practice. 17(2). pp.159-166.
Freeman, S., Eddy, S.L., McDonough, M., Smith, M.K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H. and
Wenderoth, M.P., 2014. Active learning increases student performance in science,
engineering, and mathematics   PNAS. 111(23). pp.8410-8415.
Thompson, N. and Pascal, J., 2018. Developing critically reflective practice. Reflective
Practice. 13(2). pp.311-325.
Online references
Health and safety legislation. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.scie.org.uk/key-social-care-legislation/health-and-safety>. [Accessed on
20thJune 2022].
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