with best practice and good patient care. In
2017, we completed the investigations for most
of the 84 physicians investigated as a result
of information received from the Narcotics
Monitoring System.
As is evident from the outcomes in the chart
below, the College’s preferred approach is to
support education and continued prescribing
under supervision, where the physician’s
capacity for remediation is apparent.
Outcomes of NMS-initiated investigations
No action 22
Advice 5
Remedial self-study 2
Mandated remediation 38
Mandated remediation and a caution 8
Prescribing restrictions 2
Prescribing restrictions and a caution 1
No longer in practice 4
Referral to the Discipline Committee* 2
Total
No. of
Cases
84
Understanding and questioning prescribing
practices is not intended to discourage
appropriate opioid prescribing, and we remind
physicians that suddenly stopping opioid
therapy is not safe for patients. Prescribing
opioids under the right conditions is essential
to good patient care.
Protecting Patients
from Sexual Abuse
Bill 87, the Protecting Patients Act, which was
passed in May 2017, is an important piece
of legislation for Ontario’s patients and for
all health regulatory colleges who regulate
Ontario’s health professions in the public
interest.
The Bill strengthens the sexual abuse and
transparency provisions in the Regulated
Health Professions Act (RHPA), and changes
how we move forward in the complaints,
investigation and discipline processes.
In 2017, the College reviewed the proposed
legislation carefully and fully participated
in the legislative process to help ensure the
regulatory system had the tools needed to
ensure patient protection.
Throughout our own Sexual Abuse Initiative,
the College has expressed its commitment
to protect patients from sexual abuse by
physicians. We reviewed and improved our
processes and practices, and will continue
to look for opportunities to ensure patients
have the support and information they need.
When the Bill was introduced in December
2016, we were pleased to see a number of our
recommendations reflected in the Bill.
* One hearing has concluded with a finding of professional misconduct and the physician agreeing to relinquish his licence; the second hearing is pending as of May 30, 2018.
CPSO ANNUAL REPORT 2017 // page 19