A registered nurse who wrongly administered fentanyl, almost killing a affected person, and requested a health care provider to approve the transfer after the actual fact has been stripped of her licence by Manitoba’s nursing regulator.
The nurse, Nipaben Patel, stated Thursday she had hoped to get a suspension and an opportunity to make amends and return to the career.
“I’ve taken full accountability for the errors that I made on the day in query and expressed my honest dedication to enhancing and returning to observe as a greater and extra educated and skilled nurse,” Patel stated in an e mail.
“Sadly, I used to be not provided that second probability.”
Earlier this week, the School of Registered Nurses of Manitoba cancelled Patel’s licence. She was additionally fined $10,000.
The choice was made on the advice of a panel that examined what occurred that day in November 2024 within the emergency room at Lynn Lake in northwestern Manitoba.
A 55-year-old man was introduced in, stated the investigation’s findings.
He had been discovered on a flooring with blood round his mouth and nostril and on his shirt. The doctor on obligation directed the person be transported by air to a hospital in Winnipeg.
With out receiving any orders from the physician, Patel administered two medicine on her personal, stated the choice.
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Patel later stated the physician had advised her to take action, however she ultimately admitted no such order was given.
After receiving the medicine, the affected person obtained worse. His oxygen ranges modified.
Patel seen however didn’t inform anybody, stated the choice.
Quickly after, the affected person stopped respiration and his coronary heart stopped beating, prompting a paramedic to step in and carry out CPR to carry him again to life.
Patel later requested the physician to offer a written order for the administration of fentanyl and succinylcholine. The physician declined to retroactively present an order.
The next day, Patel ended her contract with the hospital. The physician reported Patel’s conduct later that month to the school.
She has not labored as a registered nurse since Nov. 15, 2024.
The panel stated Patel labored as a registered nurse and midwife in India from 2004 to 2010, earlier than she emigrated to Canada. In Canada, she labored as a well being care aide and a licensed sensible nurse. She acquired her registered nursing licence in Manitoba in 2023.
David Swayze, the lawyer for the investigation committee, stated that historical past was an element.
“(Patel) selected to re-enter RN observe after a 13-year hole with none evaluation of (her) abilities and with none extra coaching,” Swayze stated.
“(She) didn’t recognize the importance or danger to affected person security.”
Patel’s lawyer argued that the nurse, inexperienced in essential care, was in over her head in a chaotic scenario and he or she panicked. Patel sought a suspension and a requirement to finish a medical competence evaluation.
Her lawyer requested the panel to chorus from making Patel a “figurehead” for registered nurses who’re internationally educated.
The province has beforehand issued directives to the school asking them to take away registration necessities for nurses registered in different provinces and territories, citing considerations about compliance with inside commerce agreements and provincial laws.
The faculty stated these practices are in place to make sure affected person security and belief.
“Skilled regulatory our bodies like the school are put in an not possible place, once we are directed to solely apply substantial regulatory oversight after skilled misconduct has occurred,” Deb Elias, the school’s registrar, stated in a press release.
Well being Minister Uzoma Asagwara stated circumstances like this are uncommon and don’t mirror the on a regular basis care supplied by nurses throughout the province.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew stated the case offers a studying alternative for the federal government in addition to the school.
“I might simply ask the school of nurses in Manitoba to additionally preserve an open thoughts about studying classes. As a result of actually they’ve been known as out by many people outdoors of our authorities about the necessity to modernize and to get with the occasions.”
