Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. In September 2018, while employed as a part-time Registered Nurse in a long-term care facility, the Member failed to provide adequate care and to document care for Patient A who was listed for symptom surveillance, including by failing to take the patient’s vital signs or fully assess the patient. Patient A was ultimately hospitalized and passed away from sepsis. The Member also failed to document care provided to two other patients, and failed to inform another patient’s physician or nurse practitioner about a possible fall.
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, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as dishonourable and 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 the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 3-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending at least two meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 18 months, including four random spot audits of the Member’s practice.
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 accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.