On This Page
Rosa Anna Rubini-Catalano, 0560607
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. The Member incorrectly administered medication to multiple patients from 2014-2017 at two facilities. For example, at one facility, the Member administered insulin to a patient contrary to a physician’s orders. The Member later attempted to alter the patient record to indicate that she had not administered the insulin. At the second facility, the Member also failed to obtain a physician’s order and appropriate consent before applying restraints to a patient and did not document the application of restraints or consideration of available alternatives. At a third facility, the Member drew blood from a patient for which there was no order for bloodwork.
In addition, the Member inappropriately collected short-term disability benefits from the first facility while working as a Clinical Instructor at a school. On a job application, the Member falsely identified that she had never been the subject of an investigation or inquiry by the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”), when CNO had, in fact, conducted several investigations or inquiries into the Member’s practice at the time she signed the form.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, a panel of the Discipline Committee (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;
- misappropriated property from a workplace;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified a record relating to the Member’s 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 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;
- terms, conditions, and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 24 months;
- for at least 12 months after the Member returns to the practice of nursing, the Member must meet with a mentor at least monthly; and
- no independent practice for 24 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 the joint submission on order.
