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Cheryl Kennedy, 15097155
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. The Member was responsible for a patient in the Acute Care for the Elderly Unit. The patient had a history of aggressive behaviour that included instances of physical violence with other hospital staff and was at high risk of falls. When attending to the patient, who was trying to get out of their bed or chair, the patient tried to hit the Member. The Member grabbed the patient’s arm resulting in skin tears, spoke to the patient with a raised and inappropriate tone of voice and struck the patient on the upper leg with a closed fist. The Member later stated to security guards who attended, and in the presence of the patient, that she wanted to “throat punch” the 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 verbally, physically and emotionally; 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 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; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending 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. The Panel further noted that the order demonstrates to the membership and the public that CNO shows zero tolerance with respect to abusive actions towards patients.
