On March 24, 2020 a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNP and Grace Fernandez of White Rock, B.C., to remediate practice issues related to her failure to maintain requisite perinatal certification and competently respond to a labouring mother in March 2019. The Registrant failed to follow established risk algorithms, adequately document maternal and fetal assessments, and utilize external fetal monitoring despite recent and/or ongoing tachysystole and fetal tachycardia, resulting in negative health outcomes for the baby.
The Registrant has voluntarily agreed to a three-week suspension and terms equivalent to a Limit on practice, including a Limit prohibiting perinatal practice unless perinatal specialty education is successfully re-taken, a reprimand for practising with lapsed perinatal certification, and completion of remedial education in documentation, patient-centred care/advocacy, critical thinking, ethics and professionalism, and interdisciplinary collaborative care. After suspension, she will also be subject a minimum of 16 weeks of supervised practice.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.