Professional Conduct reports – June 2024

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Recent hearing outcomes

Dr. Doug Coddington sanctioned after admission of unprofessional conduct

Surgical assistant Dr. Doug Coddington was sanctioned by a CPSA Hearing Tribunal after admitting to unprofessional conduct.

It was alleged that in 2022, Dr. Coddington put his hands on a nursing colleague during a dispute over the consent process for a patient who required surgery. Dr. Coddington accepted responsibility for his actions, recognizing that his conduct was unprofessional.

The Tribunal accepted a joint agreement on sanction and ordered the following:

• Coddington will receive a reprimand.
• Coddington’s practice permit is suspended for 30 days, which is held in abeyance to acknowledge the rehabilitation work he has already completed (a letter of apology to his colleague, counseling with a therapist following the incident and completion of a course on professional boundaries).
• Coddington is responsible for two-thirds of the costs of the investigation and hearing.

The Tribunal’s decision can be reviewed in full on CPSA’s website.

Dr. Peter Idahosa sanctioned by CPSA Hearing Tribunal

Dr. Peter Idahosa, a general practitioner from Calgary, was sanctioned by a CPSA Hearing Tribunal for failing to comply with CPSA’s Closing and Leaving a Medical Practice standard of practice.

It was alleged that in 2022, Dr. Idahosa did not notify CPSA in advance that he was closing a practice location, did not ensure storage and disposition of confidential patient information, and did not properly dispose of medication, equipment and supplies, all contrary to the standard of practice.

Dr. Idahosa admitted to the allegations and acknowledged that his conduct was unprofessional. The Tribunal accepted a joint submission on sanction and their orders included the following:

• Idahosa’s practice permit is suspended for one month, to be served starting Feb. 1, 2025 if Dr. Idahosa fails to complete the other orders from the Hearing Tribunal.
• At his own cost, Dr. Idahosa must engage in one-on-one remediation with a medical ethicist, who must provide CPSA with reports on the remediation (which must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024). If the Complaints Director is satisfied with the final report from the medical ethicist, Dr. Idahosa’s suspension will be considered served.
• Idahosa is responsible for 30% of the costs of investigation and hearing, to a maximum of $36,000.

The Tribunal’s decision can be reviewed in full on CPSA’s website.

Dr. Alan McMahon agrees to irrevocable practice permit and registration cancellation after admission of unprofessional conduct

The practice permit of nephrologist and internal medicine specialist Dr. Alan McMahon was cancelled after Dr. McMahon admitted to unprofessional conduct before a CPSA Hearing Tribunal.

Dr. McMahon was accused of failing to maintain adequate medical records while prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines for two patients (from 2011 to 2020 and 2013 to 2020, respectively), neither of whom required the care of a nephrologist. Dr. McMahon was also accused of failing to coordinate care with other healthcare professionals who were prescribing monitored medications to one of those patients, while he prescribed opioids to the same patient.

Dr. McMahon admitted to the allegations and as part of a joint agreement on sanction, agreed to irrevocably cancel his practice permit and registration with CPSA effective March 31, 2024. Dr. McMahon is also responsible for two-thirds of the costs of the investigation and hearing. More information can be found in the Tribunal’s written decision, published on CPSA’s website.