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Paul Robert Couldridge, IC04494
Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct while employed at two different facilities providing homecare. At one facility, between June and September 2017, the Member over-reported hours worked and was paid for time that he did not actually work. During a joint supervisory visit in September 2017, the Member failed to follow appropriate hand hygiene and infection control procedures, have an up-to-date medical directive for anaphylaxis epinephrine and failed to engage in proper medication administration.
At the second facility, between November 2017 and May 2018, several practice issues were identified in relation to four patients, including, for example, failing to appropriately document on a number of occasions, sleeping on duty and failing to adequately monitor two 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;
- submitted an account or charge for services that the member knew was false or misleading;
- misappropriated property from a patient or workplace;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified a record relating to the member’s practice; 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 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 7-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 18 months;
- documentation audits for 9 months;
- mentorship for at least 12 months; and
- no independent practice for 18 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 accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and the proposed order.
