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B.C. nurse didn't help colleagues with fallen patient, college finds

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives said the violations happened between March and November 2023.
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Nurses in B.C. are regulated by the College of Nurses and Midwives.

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has disciplined a nurse for not helping colleagues with a fallen patient, the regulatory body said in a June 24 public notice.

A college inquiry committee panel approved an agreement with Vanessa Bautista of Vancouver to address practice issues that occurred between March and November 2023.

The panel said the issues also included not adhering to established medication administration protocols, inadequate assessments and documentation deficiencies. 

The discipline includes:

• reprimand for their conduct;

• a minimum three-and-a-half month period of both direct and indirect supervision of their nursing practice;

• remedial education related to documentation, medications, and communication; and,

• development a learning plan, which will be shared with their employer and with the college.

The college is currently one of 18 regulatory bodies empowered under the Health Professions Act to regulate health professions in B.C. It regulates the practice of four distinct professions: nursing, practical nursing, psychiatric nursing and midwifery. 

Similar legislation in other self-regulated areas such as the legal and notary public professions also allows citizens to know about discipline issues in the public interest.

“The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public,” the college said.