I am a nurse. - College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta

D iscipline Decisions
18
Discipline summaries are submitted
for publication in Alberta RN by the
Hearing Tribunals as a brief description
to members and the public of the member’s
unprofessional behaviour and of the sanction
ordered by the Hearing Tribunal. Publication
is not intended to provide comprehensive
information of the complaint, findings of
an investigation or information presented
at the hearing.
CARNA Member
Registration number: 40,157
The Hearing Tribunal made a finding of
unprofessional conduct against member
#40,157 who, while employed to give advice
to patients by telephone, failed to do a
complete assessment as per the protocol
regarding a call from parents about their
newborn who reported their concerns
about weakness, inability to cry, breathing
difficulties and low temperature of the
infant. The member falsified documentation
regarding the call by filling in answers to
questions not asked; provided inappropriate
recommendations thereby placing the patient
at risk by delaying admission to hospital,
and incorrectly assured the parent that
a home visit would be done. Regarding
four other patient calls, the member failed
to follow the proper protocols; failed to do
complete assessments (four calls); provided
recommendations without using the protocol
(three calls); falsified the patient record by
entering answers to questions not asked
(two calls) and failed to document answers
to questions asked (two calls). The Tribunal
issued a reprimand and ordered the member
to pay a $500 fine for falsification of patient
records. In addition, the Tribunal ordered
the member to do courses in charting,
professional responsibilities and clinical
skills (including assessment) and to provide
a further performance evaluation from her
Alberta RN April 2008 Volume 64 No 4 www.nurses.ab.ca
new employer which must address many
specific areas of practice and satisfy
a Hearing Tribunal that she is practicing
at the level expected of a registered nurse.
The member is restricted to working for her
current employer pending provision of that
satisfactory performance evaluation, unless
she obtains permission from a Hearing
Tribunal to work elsewhere. Conditions shall
appear on the member’s practice permit.
Failure to comply with the Order may result
in suspension of CARNA practice permit.
CARNA Member
Registration number: 61,962
The Hearing Tribunal made a finding of
unprofessional conduct against member
#61,962, who made four medication errors
over a period of six months. The Tribunal
acknowledged that the member had, prior
to the hearing, completed a basic medication
administration course. The Tribunal issued
a reprimand and ordered the member to
provide a detailed work plan outlining how
to prevent medication errors; and to provide
a performance evaluation from his current
employer covering six months of practice,
focusing on the member’s medication
administration. The member is restricted
to working for his current employer until
a Hearing Tribunal receives a satisfactory
performance evaluation, unless a Hearing
Tribunal gives the member permission to
work elsewhere, in which case the member
must provide an evaluation from that new
employer as well. Conditions shall appear
on the member’s practice permit. Failure
to comply with the Order may result in
suspension of CARNA practice permit.
NOTICEBoard
E D M O N T O N / W E S T
NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEMS
Building Connections
April 22-28, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT: BUSKA Conference
Management 780.436.0983 ext. 233,
www.capitalhealth.ca/ihs
CANADIAN AGENCY FOR DRUGS
AND TECHNOLOGY INVITATIONAL
SYMPOSIUM
Beyond the Evidence: Making Tough
Decisions
April 28-29, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT: symposium@cadth.ca,
www.cadth.ca
VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE
WESTERN CANADIAN CONFERENCE
May 1-2, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT: Cathy Harvey, 780.485.5955,
cathyharvey@canaevents.com
9TH WESTERN NEONATAL
NURSING CARE CONFERENCE
May 7-9, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT: Shelley Jakubec,
shelley.jakubec@capitalhealth.ca, Karen
Pelletier, karen.pelletier@capitalhealth.ca
WOUND CARE:
CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE
Oct. 6, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT:
GRHEdServices@capitalhealth.ca
BUILDING INTEGRATED
HEALTH SYSTEMS
A National Symposium
Nov. 22-24, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT: Buksa Conference
Management, 780.436.0983, ext. 229,
ihs@buksa.com
END-OF-LIFE CARE
Nov. 22-24, 2008. Edmonton
CONTACT:
www.capitalhealth.ca/EndofLifeCare