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MQA Q3 2014 - 2015
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This section summarizes MQA’s enforcement activities. The Bureau of Enforcement’s key role is to investigate
complaints and reports against licensed practitioners and unlicensed practitioners. Investigations are pursued
at several levels, and the Bureau has several specialized units: the Unlicensed Activity Program, Consumer
Services Unit, Investigative Services Unit, and Compliance Management Unit.
ENFORCEMENT DATA
The Florida Department of Health Division of Medical Quality Assurance receives about 15,000 complaints a
year. Many of those the Department lacks the authority to pursue because they are not violations of statute
or rule (e.g. billing disputes or bedside manner complaints). Nonetheless, MQA in conjunction with the boards
that regulate the professions issued final orders against 1,508 health care practitioners last fiscal year. Some
practitioners were determined to need additional training to prevent errors, some were reprimanded and some
sanctioned. MQA takes emergency action for violations that pose an immediate and serious threat to the public
and violations under Section 456.074, Florida Statutes, including the commission of crimes, violations of
standards of care, drug use, impairment, drug diversion, sexual misconduct or student loan defaults.
QUARTERLY SUMMARY
Complaints Received
8,704
Legally Sufficient
1,724
Investigations Completed
1,227
Citations Issued
2
Dismissed by Panel
469
Probable Cause Found
300
Probable Cause Dismissed
57
Final Orders
218
EMERGENCY ORDERS ISSUED
Emergency Restriction Orders
42
Emergency Suspension Orders
22
Total Emergency Orders
64
FINES AND COST DATA FOR CURRENT LICENSEES
Dollar Amount Collected
$535,699.75
Dollar Amount Imposed
$545,813.65
Percentage Collected
98.15%
NUMBER OF ACTIVE CASES
Consumer Services
6,070
Investigative Services
848
Prosecution Services
4,508
Health care resources for
professionals and consumers are
available 24 hours a day at
www.FlHealthSource.gov. Apply
for a license, verify a license or
renew a license.
Detailed report by profession