B.C.’s College of Nurses and Midwives has suspended two nurses for failing to provide appropriate care to patients.
On Jan. 25, 2024, an inquiry committee approved an agreement between the college and West Kelowna registered nurse Lisa Elyzen Kelowna to address practice issues in March and April of 2023.
The college found issues with failure to provide care and medications to patients in acute pain, and with not carrying out a physician's orders for an acutely ill patient.
The college said Elyzen voluntarily agreed to a two-month suspension of their registration; a practice limit that they adhere to a learning plan; and that they complete remedial courses in pain management, professional responsibility/accountability, ethics, and documentation.
The panel said completion of those courses would address conduct and competency concerns that gave rise to the complaint.
Vancouver nurse
On Jan. 24, 2024, a panel approved an agreement between the college and Vancouver registered nurse Zhe (Helen) Li to address practice issues between July and November 2022 related to incorrect medication preparation and administration, incorrect blood product administration, inaccurate and/or incomplete documentation, incomplete report and/or handover to staff, inadequate patient assessment (including a lack of vital signs) and not ensuring proper telemetry alarms were set for safe patient monitoring.
The college said Li has voluntarily agreed to:
• a suspension of their nursing registration for one day;
• a 24-month limit prohibiting them from working in acute care and/or specialty areas;
• not having more than one employer;
• not working on more than one unit or area of work;
• not floating;
• not providing regulatory oversight to students and/or staff; and,
• from being in charge.
Li also agreed to indirect supervision, support, and mentorship of their nursing practice for 18 months and development of a learning plan, which will be shared with their employer and the college.
The college is 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.
