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An Okanagan nurse has been suspended for slapping a dementia patient who was in her care.
Rhonda Schappert, a licensed practical nurse from Penticton, struck the patient “somewhere between the back of their head and their shoulder.”
It occurred during a night shift on March 17, 2023, the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) said.
“The [nurse] was caring for a patient with dementia who was displaying challenging behaviours,” the regulator’s Inquiry Committee said in a consent agreement.
“In response to these challenging behaviours, the registrant slapped them somewhere between the back of their head and their shoulder.
“Punitive physical responses to any patient under any circumstance is unacceptable for any registrants.”
According to the agreement, Schappert was “deeply remorseful” about her behaviour and voluntarily agreed to a series of punishments.
The regulator reprimanded her and suspended her nursing registration for three days as a consequence of the incident.
Schappert has also agreed to “remedial education” related to caring for dementia patients, conflict and aggression management, violence prevention and ethics.
The regulator said it was “satisfied that the terms will protect the public.”