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MQA Q1 2015 - 2016
Last fiscal year the Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) had great successes.
As we embark on a new fiscal year, the division evaluated its goals and set new targets
to build upon these achievements. This report includes information on key performance
measures for the division and showcases accomplishments for the quarter. It is a way
for us to highlight initiatives, projects and customer service that exemplify what we do
as an organization.
In the first quarter, MQA held its annual long-range planning meeting and gathered
ideas to develop a strategic plan that will shape the next three years to better serve
health care practitioners, health care consumers and license applicants. MQA also
hosted its second annual Healthiest Weight Liaison meeting. During this meeting
representatives from all health care boards and councils came together to discuss
action items to promote the Healthiest Weight initiative and improve the health of
Florida’s citizens and visitors.
As a division, we are proud of our focus on mission- and data-driven results, working to expedite licenses and inspections
so Floridians can get to work. With three bureaus to steer the division in a unified direction, priorities are given to having a
trained customer-focused workforce making licensing more efficient, identifying unnecessary burdens on licensed health
care providers, and protecting Florida’s citizens and visitors.
Lucy Gee,
MQA Division Director
Director’s Message
The Bureau of Health Care Practitioner Regulation is continually increasing its efforts for innovation, collaboration,
responsiveness and excellence. Responding to the critical need of Florida patients for access to legitimately prescribed
pain medication, the Board of Pharmacy’s Controlled Substance Standards Committee identified real solutions and
recommendations to address the challenges some Florida patients face in obtaining these prescriptions. Board staff
promoted quality outcomes for applicants by speaking at medical and nursing schools, association conferences and
worked with educators to produce a two-hour webinar discussing issues related to mental health counselor
licensing issues.
BUREAU OF HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER REGULATION
BUREAU OF OPERATIONS
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The Bureau of Operations successfully planned MQA’s annual board chair/ vice chair long-range planning meeting in September.
Board chairs, vice chairs and MQA strategic planning staff collaborated to discuss MQA’s licensing, enforcement, budgetary and
technology updates, using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats (SWOT) survey to facilitate a strategic planning
session with board members. Results will be implemented into the development of MQA’s strategic plan. The bureau also met
with Healthiest Weight Liaisons from its 28 boards and councils and Healthiest Weight Florida staff to produce innovative means
to promote the Healthiest Weight Florida initiative among boards, councils, associations and health care professions.
During the first quarter, the statewide inspection program completed 7,869 total inspections. During this quarter, 222
more inspections were completed compared to last quarter. Utilizing 29 inspectors across 11 field offices, the inspection
program supports the Department’s mission of protecting, promoting and improving the health of all people in Florida,
while also supporting the state’s strategic priorities related to global competitiveness and economic growth and prosperity.
Inspections supporting this mission include new facility inspections, change of locations, change of ownership, compliance
and board-generated inspections, and routine inspections according to each facility-type’s practice act.
BUREAU OF ENFORCEMENT
BUREAU MESSAGES