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A B.C. nurse has been fined $21,000 and suspended for six months for giving methadone to the wrong patient, then trying to cover it up.

According to a May 20 British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives decision, registered nurse Daminda Jayakody Mudiyanselage gave methadone to the wrong patient and then failed to report the error.

Few details are given about what took place but the decision says Jayakody Mudiyanselage didn't notify colleagues or intervene while that patient was in medical distress.

Jayakody Mudiyanselage then didn't give methadone to the correct patient and again failed to report the issue.

"The nature, gravity and consequences of... (Jayakody Mudiyanselage's) conduct put patients at risk of harm and had the potential to have life-threatening consequences," the decision reads.

The decision does not say when or where the incident took place.

Jayakody Mudiyanselage now has 24 months to pay $21,153 and has been suspended for six months. Following his suspension, Jayakody Mudiyanselage will be under close supervision for 12 months.

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The decision says Jayakody Mudiyanselage had previously been disciplined while working as a licensed practical nurse in 2018.

Over a period of six months while working as a licensed practical nurse, Jayakody Mudiyanselage made numerous medication and documentation errors and falsified a medication record.

"(The) repetition of this conduct indicates that (Jayakody Mudiyanselage) was not adequately deterred and did not benefit sufficiently from past remedial efforts," the decision says.

"The penalty imposed should serve to promote public confidence in the nursing profession, including its ability to self-regulate, address the need for both general and specific deterrence, and serve to educate registrants and the public about professional standards," the decision said.

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