Woman fired after posing as nurse at Kingston, Ont. hospital
A Kingston, Ont. hospital has fired a woman who used forged documents to pose as a registered nurse for six months.
The woman used false information to claim to be a registered nurse, Kingston Health Sciences Centre said in a news release. She worked primarily in the Kingston General Hospital's post-surgical unit from July 22, 2022 to Jan. 27 of this year.
"This individual undertook significant efforts to fraudulently gain employment with KHSC including providing extensive forged documentation of their qualifications and credentials,” Jason Hann, executive vice-president of patient care and chief nursing executive, said in the release.
Hann said the fraud was discovered during a routine check with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The check turned up that the woman was not registered with the college.
"We quickly took action to end the individual’s employment," he said. The hospital has launched an investigation and has also notified the college and Kingston police and will fully cooperate with any investigation by those agencies, the release said.
The hospital is also reviewing its hiring practices to prevent such an incident from happening again.
“We are in the process of reviewing our hiring and onboarding process to ensure there are not gaps in our systems that would allow for another incident to occur in the future,” Sandra Carlton, the hospital's executive vice-president and chief human resources officer, said. “While we believe this is a truly unique scenario, we will use this as an opportunity to strengthen our processes to the fullest extent possible to ensure it will not happen again.”
Along with her work in the post-surgical unit, the woman worked some shifts elsewhere between Dec. 1 and Jan. 27, the hospital said, includingin the Admission and Transfer Unit (ATU) and the following other units: Connell 10, Kidd 9, Connell 9, Davies 5, Kidd 5, Kidd 4, Johnson 3, Kidd 3, and Connell 3.
The hospital's investigation will focus on the impact on patients and their families, the release said.
"The hospital is currently in the process of contacting individual patients and families who were cared for by the former employee, to provide more direct information on its findings," the release said.
“We understand the stress and anxiety this news may cause for our patients and other KHSC staff. We will work directly with the impacted patients, families, and staff to address their concerns,” says Dr. David Pichora, the hospital's president and CEO.
“We are committed to speaking with each individual that reaches out to us using the contact information that has been provided to the patients who have been impacted.”
Any patients that has concerns can contact KHSC’s Patient Relations team at PatientRelations@Kingstonhsc.caor 613-549-6666, extension 4158.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.