CARNA College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
DISMISSAL NOTICE of COMPLAINTS DIRECTOR COLLEGE AND ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED NURSES OF ALBERTA (“CARNA”)
Pursuant to Section 67 of the Health Professions Act (the “HPA”)
Name of Investigated Person: Aimee Bourgoin
Registration Number: #54,198
Introduction:
On November 9, 2017, the resident, a 61 year old male (“the Resident”), was admitted to a long-term care/palliative facility, namely Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre (EGCCC) Covenant Health in Edmonton, Alberta. After suffering for many years with numerous debilitating chronic diseases, and refusing to take his medications and tube feeds, he passed away on December 12, 2017.
The Complainant, who is the Resident’s sister, reported the Member to CARNA for developing unsafe pain management guidelines in May 2010. She believes that her brother would have lived had the medical/nursing staff used correct guidelines to manage his pain and/or resuscitate him.
Background Information:
The Member has been a long-time employee at the facility. Before serving as a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Specialist, she was officially appointed to the position of Program Manager on May 29, 2017.
Witness Interviews:
The Complainant, the Complainant’s sister, the Member, and the Member's manager were interviewed during this investigation.
Information and documentation provided:
During the course of the investigation, the following documents were reviewed: the resident’s medical chart, the Member's job description and the 2010 Diabetic Clinical Guidelines provided by the Complainant.
Matters investigated and Analysis:
The Complainant alleged that the Member was involved in the development of an unsafe pain management policy in 2010 that resulted in the death of the Resident on December 12, 2017. She became aware of this policy when reviewing her brother's clinical record following his death.
The Resident was a palliative care patient at EGCCC who remained mentally competent and able to make his own treatment decisions up to the time of his death. Neither of his sisters were his agents for decision making. The Complainant states that the Resident had a history of undiagnosed mental illnesses.
The Member was involved in the development of a Covenant Health Policy Clinical Practice Guidelines for Residents with Diabetes in May 2010. The Complainant alleged that although her brother did not have diabetes and this policy did not relate to his care, she felt that the fact the Guidelines did not incorporate the use of Narcan Spray, this would impact the resident's quality of care as it relates to the management of neuropathy and resuscitation. There is no evidence that this policy impacted the care of the Resident or resulted in his death.
The Complainant's sister (and the Resident's sister) advised that she felt her brother had died unexpectedly and therefore this meant that he died either of an overdose or an adverse effect of his medications. She did not provide any evidence in support of her opinion. The clinical record indicates that the Resident frequently refused medications, tube feedings and personal care. His last dose of pain medication was administered on December 6, 2017.
No evidence was provided to demonstrate that this policy or its contents impacted the care provided to the Resident.
Decision and Reasons: Dismiss
This complaint is dismissed as there is no evidence of unprofessional conduct that would cause this complaint to be referred to a Hearing Tribunal.
Georgeann Wilkin
Acting Complaints Director
Date of Dismissal: June 21, 2019