A Coquitlam registered nurse was issued a four-week suspension this month for improperly documenting several patient files and failing to communicate their assessments with colleagues.
Keomorakath Duong, according to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), will also have direct supervision for her first two weeks back on the job, won't be allowed to work on her own for the first six months and will take refresher courses from Fraser Health.
The report was posted publicly on July 12 following a panel of the BCCNM's Inquiry Committee. The incidents took place between Sept. 8, 2022, and June 15, 2023.
In one case, Duong was said to have failed to properly document a critically ill patient's assessment and communicate appropriately with their family and a nursing student under their supervision.
As well, the BCCNM explained she did not correctly document vital signs or perform clinical assessments for patients while on a night shift during that span.
In another instance, the organization said Duong failed to help a licensed practical nurse (LPN) "when the care required exceeded the LPN's scope of practice."
The BCCNM explained Duong voluntarily agreed to the terms of the suspension, which includes consistent supervision — direct for first two weeks back and indirect for three months after.
And, for six months, she will be working with at least one registered nurse when scheduled in a critical care or high acuity unit.
In that same time frame, Duong also won't work any overtime, will not be allowed to supervise nursing students or other healthcare teams, and will not work "for more than one employer."
Duong is set to develop a learning plan that'll be shared with the BCCNM and her supervisor, as part of the terms of the consent agreement.
In addition to reviewing Fraser Health's fatigue policy, Duong will take courses on topics that include:
- communication
- clinical decision-making
- professional accountability
- cultural safety and humility
- health and physical assessment
- ethics
- boundaries
