US3 min(s) read
Nurse allegedly took man's blood pressure then asked for sex as it would be 'good for his health'
A Canadian nurse has been accused of offering to have sex with a male patient during a routine blood pressure check.
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) issued a Summary Protection Order against Lori Chern, a nurse practitioner whose private health and wellness practice focuses on men over 40.
According to a complaint, Chern allegedly caressed her patient’s arm and made flirtatious comments while checking his blood pressure during an appointment at her home in British Columbia, Canada, in August.
Chern has denied engaging in any sexual misconduct.
Nurse allegedly told patient sex was important for his health
Per the filing, the nurse sat "right next to" the man while conducting the assessment and complimented his physical appearance.
"After taking the reading, the respondent complimented the complainant on their physique as well as heart rate and blood pressure, saying they seemed to have the health of an 18-year-old and making other gestures," the complaint read.
Chern allegedly then stirred the conversation to the topic of sex, telling the patient that "sex was very important for a man to regulate himself and be in good health and then proceeded to offer to have sex with the Complainant," local media CFJC reported.
Despite the man declining, it is believed Chern "indicated the Complainant was free to text or call them outside of work to meet up for sex".
The patient later reported the encounter to BCCNM and shared screenshots of text messages he claimed were exchanged between him and Chern.
The BCCNM decided that the allegations, if verified, would fall within its definition of sexual misconduct.
However, the nurse has denied any wrongdoing, and the regulator emphasized that its investigation remains at a preliminary stage.
"While [Chern] in their submissions denies any sexual misconduct, the Investigation Committee at this stage is only expected to make a provisional assessment of the facts, and in doing so should limit its assessment of the complaint to whether it is manifestly unfounded or manifestly exaggerated," the BCCNM said.
According to her LinkedIn profile, the nurse's medical practice focuses on the health and wellness of men over 40.
The Kamloops-based practitioner regularly shares medical advice videos on Facebook, including instructional videos about testosterone injections.
In one video, she demonstrates how men can administer testosterone injections into the side of their hip rather than "in their butt".
Following its initial assessment, the BCCNM's Investigation Committee concluded that the allegations raised concerns about patient safety, especially in unsupervised appointments conducted through Chern's private business - her home.
Although the health professional had no previous disciplinary record involving nurse-patient boundary violations, the committee determined that protective measures were necessary while the investigation continued.
However, it found no reason to restrict her separate employment with Interior Health at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater or Princeton General Hospital.
Instead, the committee imposed restrictions targeting appointments conducted through her private practice.
"The Investigation Committee was satisfied that the risk identified could be mitigated by restrictions on [Chern’s] practice to address the seeing of clients in their home through their business. This would address the risk identified but also allow [Chern] to continue to practice as a nurse, outside their home and business," the BCCNM said.