Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. While working in a locked dementia unit with cognitively impaired and frail seniors (“the Facility”), the Member failed to administer 106 medications to 12 patients over a five month period. Each time, the Member documented that the medication had been administered, when it had not. The Member failed to follow the Facility’s protocol for when patients refuse medication. There were no significant adverse effects to patients as a result of the Member’s conduct.
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;
- abused patients physically;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified records related to her practice; and,
- engaged 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 unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The Member signed an undertaking to permanently resign as a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and agreed not to apply for membership with CNO at any time in the future.
In light of the Member’s undertaking, CNO and the Member jointly sought an order requiring the Member to appear before the Panel for an oral reprimand.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest. The Member cooperated with CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.