A nurse drags an elder on a sheet in the hallway

Photo CHANTAL POIRIER
Stéphane Mercier, Reverse

Hugo Duchaine

Saturday, December 9, 2017 18:14

UPDATE
Saturday, December 9, 2017 18:14

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A nurse who was working in a CHSLD de Terrebonne has admitted to being violently overpowered and dragged to the ground on a blanket for a senior suffering from dementia because he was lying in the wrong bed.

“I’ve never seen abuse like this,” said a witness to the syndicates assistant of the Ordre des infirmières and infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), Cindy Gosselin, about the events that occurred in may 2016.

The nurse Stéphane Mercier is subject to a suspension of one year for demonstration of physical violence, and not having taken the necessary measures to ensure respect for the dignity, freedom and integrity of a client.

In the corridor

The eldest of 72 years, whose identity is protected, has been dragged into the corridor to his room before at least three other residents, according to what has been reported.

He had previously been controlled by Mr. Mercier, who allegedly pressed his forearm to his head, and two orderlies, while a nurse injected a sedative.

The eldest, who was of wandering, was often a disruptive and could lead to gestures of a sexual nature on the other residents and the staff of the CHSLD, recognizes the syndicates assistant.

But at the time of the facts, the 72 year old man was sleeping. His bed was not available and the resident of the room he occupied did not need to go to bed.

“Not justified “

Stéphane Mercier was recognized in front of the disciplinary Board that his intervention was ” not justified “, but he said that” no harm, harm or injury ” had been caused to the resident.

He explained to have done this to protect the staff against “a strong man” and a ” sexual predator “.

But for the lawyer of the syndicates assistant, Marie-Eve Giguère, the behavior of Mr. Mercier was ” the polar opposite of what is expected of a nurse “, adding that the two attendants involved in the intervention were then expressed their discomfort with it.

She also noted that the patient was vulnerable because of her illness, but also because he has no family.

“It is very worrying for the safety of the public,” argued Cindy Gosselin.

For his part, Stéphane Mercier, who is now working in the Abitibi region with Aboriginal peoples, asked the clemency of the Council, judging that it is an ” asset to his profession “.

The disciplinary Board of the OIIQ must make its decision on penalty within 90 days.