Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct by failing to adequately assess, monitor, and/or document the status of a patient’s wound while in home care. When the patient’s wound worsened, the Member failed to advocate for and/or document that the patient should obtain expert care. When the patient’s condition deteriorated, the Member failed to remain with the patient until the ambulance arrived. The patient passed away.
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 advise the client to obtain services from another health professional where the Member knew or ought to have known that the client’s condition was outside of her scope or practice or competency to treat;
- 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 three-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending at least two meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 12 months; and
- no independent practice for 12 months.
- revocation of the Member’s certificate of registration.
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.