Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. In November 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse in a hospital’s Emergency Department (“ED”), the Member was caring for a patient within the Mental Health Emergency Unit of the ED who was diagnosed with Drug Induced Psychosis. During her shift, the Member restrained the patient by locking the door to the patient’s room, dimming the lights and covering the windows with drapes. There was no clinical purpose for the restraint and a physician’s order was not obtained for the restraint until four hours later. The Member did not attempt alternative strategies or de-escalation measures and did not appropriately monitor the patient following the restraint. The Member falsified documentation regarding her care of this patient.
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 a patient emotionally and physically;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified records relating 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 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 a minimum of 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 accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.