On Aug. 2, 2018 a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between CRNBC and Amanda Penner of Falkland, British Columbia to address conduct concerns related to the breach of privacy and disclosure of confidential information of a patient who was a minor. This is contrary to CRNBC standards, privacy law, and Interior Health Authority policy. The Registrant’s employment was terminated on this basis, but reinstated 8 months later.
The Inquiry Committee was initially of the view that a 2 month suspension was appropriate due to the significance of a privacy breach both in terms of patient impact and trust in the nursing profession. In addition to any direct harm, privacy breaches of sensitive health information may dissuade patients from seeking medical care in the future. However, the Inquiry Committee also considered that the Registrant was terminated from her employment and was rehired 8 months later, she was remorseful, and she completed remedial education related to Ethics & Professionalism in Nursing and Patient Privacy on a voluntarily basis during the course of the investigation. Therefore, the Inquiry Committee was of the view that a 30 day suspension was appropriate and served the purpose of adequate specific deterrence from repeat conduct on behalf of the Registrant and general deterrence to the nursing profession at large.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public