BC nurse suspended for failing to assess patient, falsifying documents

A registered BC nurse has been handed a five month suspension for reportedly failing to appropriately assess a patient, says a consent agreement posted at the end of January.

The consent agreement between the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and Edgardo Santiago of Victoria was approved on Jan. 31, 2023.

The agreement addresses “practice issues” that occurred in July 2020.

According to the agreement, the nurse reportedly failed to adequately assess the patient despite the patient having a “significant” medical history and current symptoms of concern.

“He observed the patient, asked peers what they had observed, and reviewed the charting of previous shifts,” the agreement explains.

“Then, he falsified a medical record by documenting a fulsome assessment he had not completed.”

Santiago voluntarily agreed to the suspension.

During that time he will be required to complete remedial education on ethics and responsibility, medications, documentation, patient relations and critical thinking.

The agreement says he will be required to create a learning plan and meet with a BCCNM practice consultant.

In addition, once he returns to work, his first five assessments will be supervised. Santiago will be required to regularly meet with a supervisor for six months to go through the learning plan.

The inquiry committee was satisfied that the agreement will protect the public.