A Westlock doctor and veterinarian has been suspended for unprofessional conduct, following a series of investigations and a tribunal conducted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Dr. Gina Arps was suspended back in October following allegations that she had failed to comply with practice restrictions imposed by an agreement with the CPSA.
According to the tribunal’s decision, between 2021 and 2022, Arps was alleged to have violated practice restrictions by performing “invasive and sensitive procedures and examinations, and providing injections to patients at a location that was not an Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility.”
Those allegations would have violated restrictions placed on her practice in 2017.
Other allegations against Arps include:
- Keeping expired drugs and medical products in the clinic;
- Adding hand-written expiry dates to disinfectant containers to create the impression that the product hadn’t expired;
- Processing soiled equipment from her veterinary practice at the clinic where she saw and treated human patients;
- Using sharps used on human patients in her clinic for use on animals in her veterinary practice.
On Oct. 26 2022, an unannounced inspection took place, which found that "critical infection prevention and control deficiencies" found during a previous inspection remained, as well as inappropriate storing and handling of injectable medical equipment. It was also alleged that Arps was not candid with the CPSA and AHS investigators who visited her clinic.
Arps admitted to the allegations and acknowledged the allegations met the threshold of unprofessional conduct during the hearing.
As a result of the tribunal, Arps is suspended from practising for nine months, with six months already considered served. She will also be responsible for half of the costs of the investigation and hearing, up to $15,000.