Nurse banned for two years after forcibly restraining aged care resident with dementia

A registered nurse has been banned for two years after forcibly grabbing the wrists of an aged care resident with a complex diagnosis including dementia and pushing her into a countertop, a tribunal has ruled.

The nurse, Su Jin Han, was working at an aged care provider in Adelaide's north, on November 12, 2023, when she "failed to maintain professional behaviour" and engaged in the "prolonged use of force, force that was unreasonable, and aggressive behaviour towards the resident".

In a judgment published online, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal noted a series of incidents were captured on CCTV, beginning when Ms Han, 47, and the resident had a conversation "involving shouting and raised voices".

Ms Han "was then observed to forcefully grab the wrists of [the resident] and to hold onto them for approximately 17 seconds".

According to the judgment, Ms Han was seen to "aggressively hold onto the wrist of [the resident] and push her backwards into the countertop in the lounge area".

Minutes later, the resident was captured hitting Ms Han with a soft item, thought to be a tea towel or paper towel. "[Ms Han] was observed to forcefully grab the wrists of [the resident] and hold onto them for approximately 55 seconds," the judgment said.

According to the judgment, about 35 minutes later, the resident "began throwing or stuffing what appeared to be wipes or either a lid or a plastic item or plate of some description" through the window of the nurses station and tried to hit Ms Han.

Ms Han snatched the items and "attempted to forcefully slap " the resident with the wipes and plastic lid.

'Completely unreasonable and unnecessary' force

The tribunal found there was "no clinical need for the exercise of force at all" and noted Ms Han's behaviour was "inappropriate and unprofessional".

"What happened was in fact an abuse of the nurse's position of power in respect of a resident who was an extremely vulnerable person."

The tribunal noted that on the same day, Ms Han also failed to properly manage and take action after another staff member alerted her to an incident involving two residents.

'Appropriate remorse'

The tribunal found Ms Han demonstrated "appropriate remorse" and insight into her behaviour on the day.

It also noted she had not worked as a nurse for some time and was currently employed as a social worker.

"She has indicated that she is devastated by what happened and that she would dearly love in due course to return to nursing," the judgment said.

Ms Han had reported working two jobs at the time of the incident, with one day off a fortnight, which the tribunal described as "an incredible and a dangerous working load".

The tribunal heard that at the time, Ms Han was a full-time nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and worked part-time at the aged care facility.

It also noted she had worked a double shift the day before.

Ms Han told the tribunal she was "very tired" on the day and that fatigue had impacted her behaviour.

The tribunal reprimanded Ms Han, cancelled her registration for two years and banned her from providing any health service until she gains re-registration.