Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct when she administered pain medications, including hydromorphone and morphine sulfate, to several palliative patients more frequently than ordered. On several occasions, the Member failed to properly document assessments of those patients and/or her administration of the pain medication to those patients.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession;
- failed to keep records as required; and
- engaged in conduct or performed an act, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and the Member presented the Panel with a Joint Submission on Order requesting that the Panel make an order that included:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 2-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 12 months.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest. The Panel noted that the Member cooperated with the CNO and, by agreeing to the facts and a proposed penalty, has accepted responsibility.