Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. The Member made several disparaging, demeaning and disrespectful comments to patients and to colleagues about patients. The Member also failed to regularly attend to patients’ incontinence and other physical needs. On several occasions the Member failed to provide adequate diapering care to incontinent patients which resulted in the patients being left in wet and/or soiled clothing.
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 verbally and emotionally;
- 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 disgraceful, 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 including:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 6-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 12 months; and
- mentorship for 12 months.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed order 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.