Deirdre Armstrong

The College of Nurses of Ontario alleged that the Member misappropriated narcotics, falsified documentation, and failed to meet standards of practice regarding the handling and administration of Demerol and Morphine.

Following a hearing, the Discipline Committee found that the College failed to meet the standard of proof required.

The evidence presented was largely circumstantial and relied on inferences rather than facts.

The Committee concluded that the evidence was not clear, cogent, and convincing, and dismissed all allegations of professional misconduct against the Member.

The Member, a Director of Occupational Health and Infection Control, faced allegations of professional misconduct for disclosing the names of 14 staff members who had not received an influenza vaccination in an email to other staff, and for directing a profanity at a co-worker during a subsequent staff meeting.

The Member admitted to the allegations.

The Discipline Committee found that the Member committed professional misconduct by failing to maintain confidentiality and engaging in unprofessional conduct.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and exercising its discretion not to publish the Member's name due to mitigating factors including her retirement, serious medical condition, and remorse.