Following a medical mistake that almost led to a patient’s death as well as an attempt to coverup the error, a Coquitlam man relinquished his registration as a licensed practical nurse, according to a recently published notice by the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives.
While working as a licensed practical nurse on Nov. 15, 2021, Catalin Ghilinta made a mistake that led to his patient suffering a methadone overdose.
A colleague eventually saved the patient’s life. However, Ghilinta didn’t acknowledge the patient’s overdose, “and did not provide emergent intervention” to the patient.
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Ghilinta failed to report the mistake and then “created erroneous documentation” in the medical records of two patients. While the event was under investigation, Ghilinta “provided false or misleading statements to investigators,” according to the notice.
At the end of the investigation, Ghilinta volunteered to relinquish his registration as a nurse.
Failing to admit the error and to help the patient “falls toward the most serious end of registrant misconduct,” according to the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives.
The inquiry committee initially sought a lengthy suspension and limits on practice, as well as other terms.
