A Victoria urologist disciplined for photographing an unconscious patient for ridicule is back at work, having served two months of his six-month suspension.
Island Health confirmed on Monday that Dr. John Kinahan has hospital privileges at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
In July 2015, the College of Physicians and Surgeons suspended Kinahan’s privileges for six months and fined him $20,000.
Kinahan began his suspension Jan. 1. He was required to complete a college-approved multidisciplinary assessment program, attend a clinician-patient communication program and participate in continuing medical education in ethics, boundaries and professionalism.
He was also required to attend meetings at the college to discuss the education and his insights. He had to complete all the steps in order to reduce the suspension by four months.
“At its meeting in February, the executive committee of the college board authorized Dr. John F.J.D. Kinahan to resume the practice of medicine, having met the conditions imposed by the Inquiry Committee,” college spokeswoman Susan Prins said in an email on Monday.
Island Health said it has mechanisms in place to support and monitor Kinahan in his practice.
Kinahan admitted engaging in unprofessional conduct by taking a photo on his personal cellphone of an unconscious patient’s urinary catheter site without the patient’s consent, the college said in July.
“He further violated patient privacy by forwarding the photograph in a text message, along with a joke, to a third party who was not involved in the patient’s care,” the college found.
The text was sent to several people, one of whom reported it to Island Health.
The incident occurred on July 4, 2013, in Royal Jubilee Hospital’s intensive care unit. It was reported to Island Health the next day. Island Health investigated and the patient lodged a formal complaint.
The college, the licensing and regulatory body for all physicians and surgeons in B.C., said earlier it would monitor Kinahan following his return to practice.
Island Health said it regularly reminds physicians and all staff about the appropriate use of technology within its facilities and has several policies aimed at protecting patient privacy.
“Since this incident occurred, we have reviewed policies around photographing, videotaping and audio recording in our service areas,” said Island Health spokeswoman Kellie Hudson in an email.
“And, in response to ever-changing technologies, we continue to build comprehensive standards, policies and guidelines to guide visitors, staff and physicians around the appropriate use of these technologies within our facilities.”
