On March 4, 2021 a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Joanne Hellbach of Surrey, BC, to remediate practice issues that occurred between February of 2018 and January of 2020 on the PICC Team related to failing to adequately assess patients, document assessments, interventions and patient responses to interventions, communicate, collaborate and consult with other members of the health care team, respond appropriately to patients exhibiting signs of distress, and be accountable and responsible for their nursing practice and professional conduct.
The Registrant has voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to limits and conditions on practice, including: a three week suspension of registration, a reprimand for the conduct, a prohibition on being sole RN, RN in charge on a PICC unit or providing supervision to others including students, and a limit on practice to inserting PICCs only under direct supervision until such time that satisfactory practice is confirmed. The Registrant will complete remedial education related to ethics, professionalism, inter-professional communication and collaboration, documentation, clinical decision-making and sensitivity training. The Registrant will also complete a regulatory practice consultation program, and develop and complete a learning plan including obtaining written employer feedback at regular intervals.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.