Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. While working as a Registered Nurse during a night shift on October 21, 2021, the Member administered 5 mg of midazolam to a patient despite the physician having ordered only 2 mg. The Member told his colleague, who was new to the profession and the patient’s primary nurse, that “they (the physicians) never give proper orders.” The Member also administered 2 mg of hydromorphone via a CADD pump without a physician’s order, stating to the same colleague, “no one will know as you will not say anything,” or words to that effect.
The Member specifically told his colleague to document that the Member had administered 2 mg of midazolam instead of the 5 mg that he had actually administered. When the Member’s colleague did not feel comfortable documenting this, the Member documented that 2 mg of midazolam administered and 8 mg wasted, when in fact 5 mg was administered, and 5 mg was wasted. The Member did not report any of his improper administration and wastage of midazolam and/or administration of hydromorphone to the facility.
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;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified a record relating to his practice;
- signed or issued, in his professional capacity, a document he knew or ought to have known was false; 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 4-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 18 months; and
- no independent practice for 18 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.