A Langford-based registered nurse has been suspended following an investigation by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives into privacy and professional conduct issues.
According to the college, a panel of its Inquiry Committee approved a consent agreement on January 21st, between the regulator and Edgardo Santiago, RN, to address conduct that occurred in 2024 and 2025.
The college said the issues involved accessing patient records after care had been provided and the patients had already been discharged, as well as breaching the terms of a prior consent agreement.
That earlier agreement required Santiago to notify the college of any changes to his employment circumstances — a requirement the regulator says was not met.
In its public notice, the college emphasized that the privacy of personal health information is a fundamental obligation within the health-care system.
Only individuals considered to be “inside the circle of care” are authorized to access patient records, the regulator stated, noting that patients have a right to expect their information will remain private.
As part of the consent agreement, Santiago voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to limits and conditions on his practice. Those terms include a seven-month suspension of his nursing registration, followed by a six-month period during which his registration will be subject to limits.
During that six-month period, Santiago is required to provide monthly independent confirmation that no privacy concerns have arisen, according to the college.
The Inquiry Committee said it is satisfied that the agreed-upon terms address the professional and practice concerns identified in the investigation and will serve to protect the public.
Consent agreements are a key part of the college’s public protection mandate, the regulator added, and registrants are expected to comply with any terms they agree to as part of their regulation.
