What we know about the alleged misuse of labour-inducing drug in Moncton

More details about the alleged misuse of a labour-inducing drug at the Moncton Hospital are slowly beginning to emerge.

The Horizon Health Network confirmed on March 30 that an unnamed nurse at the hospital was fired and under criminal investigation by the RCMP forallegedly "inappropriately" administering Oxytocin to two patients.

Here is what we know so far.

HowOxytocinis used

Oxytocin is a drug used in labour and delivery that causes the uterus to contract and speeds up labour.

It can be dangerous for babies because it can cut off oxygen to the fetus and affect fetal heart rate, potentially causing brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

The drug can also be harmful to mothers because it can cause uterine rupture, bleeding and unnecessary assisted deliveries or caesarean sections, also known as C-sections.

How drug's use at Moncton Hospitalwas discovered

An internal investigation revealed "strong evidence" thenurse administered Oxytocinto two patients without consent, which caused the women to require an urgent caesarean section, Horizon said.

The Oxytocin was allegedly administered in at least one case via small punctures in an IV saline bag, according to a proposed class-action lawsuit filed with the Court of Queen's Bench on April 11.

About the nurse allegedly involved

The lawsuit identifiesNicole Ruest as the nurse in question. It names her and Horizon as the defendants.

The statement of claim says Ruest has worked at the Moncton Hospital for at least 15 years.

During that time, Ruesthas been involved in "hundreds" of labours and deliveries, according to John McKiggan, one of thelawyers handling the lawsuit.

Police have not released the name of the nurse involved, but Ruest was identifiedin the proposed class action lawsuit statement of claim filed Thursday morning.

Women given labour-inducing drug file proposed class action against hospital, nurse

6 years ago

Duration 1:06

Jayde Scott recounts how traumatic it was for her to give birth after allegedly being given labour-inducing drug.

The response from patients

Jayde Scott, 26, is the representative plaintiff of the proposedclass action,which has not yet been certified.

Scott was 38 weeks and three dayspregnant with twins when she had an emergency C-sectionafter allegedly being given Oxytocin without her consent by Ruest, according to the statement of claim.

"It was extremely traumatizing," Scottsaid in tears during anews conference Thursday to announce the lawsuit, whichcovers 2005 to 2019.

"I didn't get to meet my girls right away. I was put unconscious, right? So it's supposed to be an exciting momentand that was robbed."

She said her daughters are doing very well,but that her heart goes out to theother womenwho were affected.

"Dozens"of other moms who are concerned they may have been affected have contacted the lawyers.

More than 40 concerned patients have contacted Horizon, as of April 2. Horizon has declined to provide an updated number or say whether it's looking into other cases that may have involved the nurse.

The response from the institution

On March 30, Horizon Health confirmed thatan unnamednurse was fired.Meanwhile, the New Brunswick Nurses Association suspended thenurse'slicence indefinitely, so shecan no longer practise in the province.

None of the allegations have been proven.

No arrest has been made.

Horizon, the New Brunswick Nurses Union and the Nurses Association of New Brunswick have all declined furthercomment, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Patients whohad a "strong and sustained contraction of the uterus associated with a low fetal heart beat typically requiring a C-section" are encouraged to call Horizon at1-844-225-0220 or to contact the RCMP.