Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. Between November 2020 and February 2021, on multiple occasions, the Member communicated in person and via direct messaging, invaded the personal space of and touched four co-workers in an inappropriate and unsolicited manner. The Member also attended at one of the co-worker’s houses, uninvited, and disclosed the personal health information of three patients to this co-worker via text message, without consent, authorization or any clinical purpose.
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;
- gave information about a client to a person other than the client or his or her authorized representative except with the consent of the client or his or her authorized representative or as required or allowed by law; and
- engaged in conduct relevant to the practice of nursing that would reasonably be regarded by members of the profession 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 6-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- successful completion of the Improving Inter-Professional Communication virtual seminar program;
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 24 months.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed order 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 will illustrate to the membership that there are serious consequences for this type of misconduct.