The growing value and recognition of Licenced Practical Nurses is the result of hard work – by our collaborative, competent and professional LPNs, and by the determined efforts of the CLPNA to build on their successes and ours. As our membership grows, so does the influence and the empowered professionalism of LPNs – protecting and serving the public through excellence in practical nursing.
EXCEL
COMPLAINTS
The CLPNA is mandated to protect and serve the public. One way we do that is by responding to complaints and allegations of unprofessional conduct, incompetence and incapacity of LPNs, to ensure the profession’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are upheld. The complaints process is designed to protect the public and improve the LPN’s nursing practice.
The Complaints Process
The CLPNA receives, investigates and resolves complaints about the practice of licensed practical nurses in accordance with processes identified in the Health Professions Act. The CLPNA is committed to resolving complaints against LPNs based on the principles of procedural fairness, transparency and due diligence. Each complaint is taken seriously and reviewed thoroughly to determine the appropriate course of action. The HPA sets out the approaches for addressing unprofessional conduct to protect the public from incompetent or unethical practitioners. Approximately 1% of the membership is involved in the complaints process each year.
The CLPNA attempts to resolve complaints through informal resolution processes where possible, rather than referral to disciplinary hearings. This year, 40% of complaints were successfully resolved in this manner. Serious complaints are investigated and referred to disciplinary hearing according to the determination of the Complaints Director. Due to the serious nature of several complaints, three LPNs had suspensions issued pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. Alternatively, when evidence does not exist or is deemed to be insufficient, a complaint may be dismissed.
In accordance with the HPA, employers have a legal obligation to inform the CLPNA when an LPN is terminated, suspended, or the LPN has resigned for reasons of unprofessional conduct.
Disciplinary Hearings SummaryA complaint is referred to a hearing when informal methods of resolution are unsuccessful, or when a complaint investigation reveals a serious breach of a practice standard or ethical conduct of an LPN. The Complaints Director may also refer complaints to the Hearing Tribunal for a formal hearing. Based on the evidence, the Tribunal determines if the investigated LPN has met the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the profession. If the LPN is found to be guilty of unprofessional conduct, the Tribunal decides what measures are necessary to protect the public from unsafe practice and determines the appropriate steps required to remediate and rehabilitate the individual nurse.
There were 18 hearings held and concluded in 2014. The 18 hearings consisted of 27 separate complaints.
Hearing Findings
Hearing Tribunals receive evidence, listen to testimonies and consider the facts of the complaint in order to make a well-reasoned decision. The Hearing Tribunal includes members of the profession and the public to support an objective review of the matter.
Hearing Discipline Actions Taken
Where possible, the Hearing Tribunal strives to take a remedial approach when determining orders, to provide the LPN an opportunity to improve their nursing practice. Suspensions and cancellations are orders reserved for more serious offences.