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| | Nov. 17, 2000. 01:38 EDT | |
| | Two nurses may face public hearing | | College questions girl's treatment at Sick Children's | Harold Levy and Sonia Verma
STAFF REPORTERS | | The complaints committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario has recommended a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of two nurses responsible for caring for 10-year-old Lisa Shore at the Hospital for Sick Children. Ruth Doerksen and Anigaile Soriano could face a public hearing before a discipline committee if the committee's recommendations are accepted by the college, the regulatory body for nurses in Ontario. A college publication says allegations of incompetence may be referred to the discipline committee for a hearing ``if the complaint concerns a matter that is very serious and there is sufficient information to support the complaint.'' Lisa died Oct. 22, 1998, less than 12 hours after her mother, Sharon Shore, brought her to the hospital for relief from pain caused by a non-life-threatening leg injury. A coroner's jury returned a ``homicide'' verdict after a lengthy inquest that ended in February. Homicide is a neutral term used to describe the taking of one person's life by another. The committee also ordered that former chief nurse Jean Reeder, who has since left the hospital, appear before it for a ``caution,'' and that nurse educator Mary Douglas receive a letter of caution. It also decided ``to take no action with a comment'' against nurses Sian Phillibert and Marta Papa, an approach described in the publication as an opportunity ``to give a reminder or advice to the member.'' College sanctions range from censure to permanent expulsion from the profession if it finds misconduct at a discipline hearing. Detailed reasons for the decision will be provided at a later time. Sharon Shore told The Star she was told the outcome late Wednesday. She had alleged that:
Doerksen and Soriano failed to follow doctor's orders, hospital protocols or standard practice.
Reeder failed to report ``substandard and negligent care'' provided by Doerksen and Soriano to the nurses college.
Douglas conspired with Doerksen to cover up negligent nursing care;
Phillibert and Papa knew about ``grossly substandard nursing care'' where a child died ``but failed to mention this to their superiors, to the coroner, or to the College of Nurses.'' Shore alleged that the nurses demonstrated a ``disgraceful, dishonourable and unethical standard of behaviour.'' Doerksen and Soriano continue on paid leave of absence. Lawyer Patrick Hawkins said his client, Reeder, is ``rather disappointed'' at the committee's decision ``and disagrees that it is warranted in the circumstances.'' Hawkins said he can't determine whether the decision can be appealed until he receives the committee's detailed reasons in about six weeks. Lawyer Elizabeth McIntyre, who represents the other five, said that until then it's impossible to know which allegations troubled the committee. A prosecutor is studying whether criminal charges should be brought against the hospital and staff. |
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