On January 17, 2019, a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNP and Irene Bontempo of Coquitlam, BC, to remediate practice issues related to the following:
On several occasions in 2015 and 2016, the Registrant did not follow up with high risk and vulnerable clients in accordance with their documented care plan and did not document all communications with them. In March 2016, the Registrant did not conduct a pregnancy test or provide Plan B Contraception to a sexually active youth who disclosed a history of recent unprotected intercourse; in April 2016, when a sick five-week-old infant presented at the clinic showing a significant loss in body weight, a pale complexion, a slightly sunken fontanelle, few movements of limbs, and crusty, sticky exudate in both eyes, the Registrant requested that the client return to the health unit for a weight check on May 3, 2016, but the Registrant did not contact the infant's physician and the Registrant did not conduct any follow-up assessment; a 2016 chart audit showed that the Registrant wrote charting notes on self-adhesive paper, and that these notes were often undated and not always uploaded into her employer's electronic charting system.
The Registrant has voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to a limit and condition on practice, including:
- To work under regular supervision for 12 months;
- To meet with a BCCNP Regulatory Practice Consultant to review adequate and timely documentation, professional responsibility and accountability, clinical decision-making and professional integrity; and
- She has agreed to a reprimand and disclosure to employers.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied the terms will protect the public.