College Issues Consensual Reprimand to Dr. William R. Vitale
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia hereby gives notice that as a result of a complaint and pursuant to the Medical Act, Dr. William Vitale has accepted a reprimand and conditions issued by the College.
A reprimand is a finding of professional misconduct that is entered on a doctor’s formal discipline record. The College’s Investigations Committee has directed the following:
1. Dr. Vitale is reprimanded for knowingly performing vaccinations improperly, in a manner contrary to the established practices of the profession.
2. The prior restriction on Dr. Vitale’s licence with regard to immunizations is lifted.
3. Dr. Vitale’s licence is subject to the following conditions:
a. Dr. Vitale must maintain readily accessible information respecting all patients receiving immunizations, including the names of the patients, the vaccines administered, the method used, and the date. This information will be made available to the auditor conducted to appoint a practice audit of Dr. Vitale’s practice as set out in condition (b);
b. Dr. Vitale is required to submit to a further practice audit, at his expense, to be arranged through the College’s Physician Performance Department six months from the date of this decision. The results of the audit will be reviewed by the Physician Performance Department and the Physician Performance Department will determine any further action that may be needed, which action may include a decision that nothing further is required, that remediation is required or that matters necessitate a referral to the Registrar as a new complaint;
c. Dr. Vitale is required to take the next available offering of the Medical Record Keeping Course offered through the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, at his expense. In the event that Dr. Vitale does not register for the next offering of this course or successfully complete it, his licence to practice medicine will be suspended pending successful completion of the course.