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Ester Fernandez, 0501072
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. The Member made a number of errors in her nursing practice on multiple occasions from 2012 to 2015. Some of these errors included: under-administering or over-administering the prescribed doses of medication to patients, improperly administering medication, administering medication to patients at the wrong time, starting and ending a diabetic patient’s feed at incorrect times, failing to follow proper disinfection and sterile procedure protocols and proper G-tube care, and failing to properly document in patient charts. In one incident, the Member failed to properly attend to a patient who was experiencing respiratory distress. The Member required significant assistance from other staff to carry out her nursing duties.
Member’s Admissions
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;
- failed to keep records as required; 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 4-month suspension;
- terms, conditions, and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- completing nursing courses in Medication Administration and Health Assessment;
- employer notification for 12 months;
- meeting with a mentor at least monthly for 8-12 months; and
- no independent practice 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 accepted responsibility by cooperating with CNO and agreeing to the facts and joint submission on order.
