B.C.’s College of Nurses and Midwives has suspended a Chilliwack nurse for three weeks for problems involving high-alert medication.
On Aug. 9, a college inquiry committee panel approved an agreement with Jennifer Kanoga to address November 2023 practice issues. The college said Kanoga failed "to follow the independent double check and discrepancy resolution processes for a high-alert medication" on two occasions.
A high-alert medication carries a heightened risk of causing significant harm when used in error.
The college said Kanoga has agreed to conditions including:
• the suspension;
• a six-month limit on them being a sole registered nurse on duty, working overtime, and independently handling, administering, wasting, or resolving discrepancies related to high-alert medications except under direct supervision;
• remedial education related to medications, ethics, and professional responsibility; and
• developing a learning plan, which will be shared with their employer and with the college.
The college is currently one of several 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.
“The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public,” the college said.
The newly formed College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC amalgamates the regulation of professional chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in B.C. to ensure they have the competencies needed to practice and ensure they adhere to safe and ethical care standards.
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.
