Instructions

One at a time, go through the guiding questions for each scenario.

After this huddle

• Practicum students should be able to:
• Report their safety concerns appropriately
• Ask for help when they are unsure about something

Notes to the huddle leader

• Encourage practicum students to ask for help or clarification when unsure about something.
• Emphasize that reporting is not about getting anyone in trouble, instead it helps the care team plan their approach to care better, so that staff are safe and the person in care feels comfortable.
• Reinforce the importance of using the point of care risk assessment and care plan to minimize their risk of injury.

Scenarios

• Your co-worker is so nice to you. She offers to finish your work after a busy day at the end of your shift, trades your difficult residents/clients with her easier ones, and tells you she loves working with practicum students. You find out she gossips behind your back, telling the other staff that she has to clean up your mess because you can’t do your job.
• You need to wake a person in care for breakfast. You’ve reviewed their care plan and know that they are normally pleasant and cooperative. When you enter their room, they yell at you and throw their book at you.
• The care plan says you must use an overhead lift and a universal sling to transfer someone with difficulty following directions. The only sling available in the room is a hygiene sling, which you have not been trained to use.

Guiding questions

• How should you proceed in these scenarios? What should you do if you are not sure?
• Do any of these scenarios need to be reported to your practicum supervisor? Why or why not?
• If it does need reporting, who is responsible for doing so and what steps must be taken?