Two Coquitlam nurses have been disciplined following recent patient complaints to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Most concerns are resolved through a procedure involving a consent agreement reached via a panel of inquiry and discipline ranges in severity depending on the issue.
The outcomes are published online.
In one case, a Coquitlam nurse voluntarily resigned after it was found that he didn’t adhere to a high-alert medication policy, and practice standards, resulting in a life-threatening medication error, namely, the methadone overdose of a patient.
In another, a Coquitlam nurse accepted a two-week suspension and agreed to submit to her employers a learning plan for remedial education, in critical thinking, intrapersonal and professional communication, and documentation.
Case One
• On April 7, 2023, a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Catalin Ghilinta, a former licensed practical nurse.
The investigation, the results of which are published online, found that on Nov. 15, 2021, Ghilinta, then working as a licensed practical nurse, did not report a medication error involving methadone.
“He created erroneous documentation in the medical record of two patients and provided false or misleading statements to investigators during the employer’s investigation of this serious patient safety event,” the consent agreement states.
When colleagues sought assistance with the patient in distress, Ghilinta “did not acknowledge the presentation of an opioid overdose and did not provide emergent intervention to the affected patient. A colleague advocated for the patient, resulting in life-saving treatment by emergency services.”
In addition, Ghilinta acted outside the LPN scope of practice when he performed a rectal examination and fecal disimpaction on one patient.
Ghilinta jeopardized patient safety, the consent agreement notes, and would have been subject to a lengthy suspension and other restrictions but he “voluntarily relinquished” his registration at the conclusion of the investigation.
BCCNM accepted Ghilinta’s voluntary cancellation of registration as ”satisfactory to protect the public.”
Case Two
• On July 19, a consent agreement was approved between the BCCNM and Jesusa Tade of Coquitlam.
The inquiry was to address practice issues that occurred in March 2022 related to lack of assessment and escalation of care for patients assigned to her.
Among the concerns raised was that she did not follow established policies and procedures, was dismissive to a patient who was in distress, didn’t prepare appropriate and adequate documentation, and didn’t communicate “effectively” with family, physicians, and members of the care team.
Tade voluntarily agreed a two-week suspension of her nursing registration, remedial education in critical thinking, intrapersonal and professional communication, and documentation and must develop a learning plan to be shared with her employer and with BCCNM.
“The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public,” the statement notes.
How to make a nursing complaint
For information about making a complaint, including how to submit a complaint, visit bcccnm.ca
BCCNM is required by law to regulate the nursing and midwifery professions in the public interest. As part of this responsibility, BCCNM ensures:
• The public is protected from incompetent, unethical, or impaired nursing or midwifery practice.
• Nurses and midwives do not practice unless they can do so safely.
“Our work is guided by provincial legislation called the Health Professions Act. It is your right to submit a written complaint to BCCNM if you believe that the concerns that you have about a nurse or midwife’s conduct or competence warrants a formal investigation by the regulatory body,” the website states.
