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MQA Q4 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
per 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
10,333
Legally Sufficient
1,971
Investigations Completed
1,436
Citations Issued
1
Dismissed by Panel
573
Probable Cause Found
380
Probable Cause Dismissed
52
Final Orders
392
Emergency Orders Issued
Emergency Restriction Orders
29
Emergency Suspension Orders
26
Total Emergency Orders
55
Fines and Cost Data for Current LicensEes
Dollar Amount Collected
$576,457.72
Dollar Amount Imposed
$1,042,696.30
Percentage Collected
55.29%
NUMBER OF ACTIVE CASES
Consumer Services
7,437
Investigative Services
1,022
Prosecution Services
4,621
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