Nurse Banned for Two Years Over 'Completely Unreasonable' Force Against Aged Care Resident

A registered nurse has been banned from practicing for two years after a tribunal ruled she used 'completely unreasonable' force against an aged care resident with a complex diagnosis, including dementia.

The nurse, Su Jin Han, 47, was working at an aged care provider in Adelaide's north on November 12, 2023, when she engaged in a series of incidents captured on CCTV, including forcibly grabbing the resident's wrists and pushing her into a countertop.

Incident Details

The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that Ms Han and the resident had a conversation 'involving shouting and raised voices' before she '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.

'In doing so, she forcibly twisted, turned and pulled [the resident] low to the ground and then forcibly restrained [the resident] whilst dragging her into the lounge area.'

Tribunal Findings

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

'We are fully satisfied that the degree of force, indeed the force exercised by the respondent towards the resident, as shown in the videos, was completely unreasonable and unnecessary,' the judgment said.

'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.'

Ms Han's Response and Consequences

The tribunal noted that Ms Han demonstrated 'appropriate remorse' and insight into her behavior on the day.

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

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