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Jeffrey Klein, 11447561
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct when he made inappropriate comments to a patient, including, “Bad [Patient]”, left the patient crying naked on the bed and told the patient to dress herself; raised his voice threatening to put a different patient in seclusion; and made inappropriate comments to another patient, suggesting that the patient’s situation was her own fault, while the patient was crying.
The Member was found guilty of the following:
- contravening a standard of practice of the profession or failing to meet the standards of practice of the profession;
- verbally abusing a patient; and
- engaging in conduct relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and/or unprofessional.
The College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and the Member presented the Panel with a Joint Submission requesting that the Panel make an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a five-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending a minimum of two meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 18 months.
Aggravating factors considered by the Panel included:
- the nature and seriousness of the misconduct, including verbal abuse, which was chronicled over a period of years and toward three different patients.
Mitigating factors considered by the Panel included:
- the Member accepted responsibility and admitted to professional misconduct;
- the Member had no prior disciplinary history;
- the Member thought his interventions were for the patients’ best interest with no malice intended; and
- the Member feels he gained insights into appropriate interactions with patients.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest.
