MQA Quarterly Performance Report

The Prosecution Services Unit (PSU) is responsible for providing legal services in the regulation of all health care boards and councils. MQA’s enforcement process begins when the Consumer Services Unit (CSU) receives and processes a complaint within MQA’s jurisdiction. CSU refers complaints to the Investigative Services Unit (ISU) field office closest to where the incident occurred. Complaints that present an immediate threat to public safety are given priority; however, all complaints are investigated as timely as possible. PSU attorneys review the investigative report to recommend a course of action which may include Emergency Order, Expert Review, Closing Order and/or Administrative Complaint. Emergency Orders are issued by the Department’s State Surgeon General against licensees who pose an immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Florida. For a detailed illustration of MQA’s enforcement process, please see the Enforcement Process diagram below. The Bureau of Enforcement strives to make a positive impact on the health of Floridians by working to achieve compliance with Florida laws and rules by health care practitioners, and by ensuring the appropriate action is taken to protect Florida’s residents and visitors from illegal and dangerous health care practices. 8 MQA Q1 2017-20 18 I AM MQA Complaint Department Probable Cause Mediation Case Disposition Findings: No Probable Cause Found Probable Cause Found Citation Issued Disputed Not Disputed Final Order Closure/Referral to Other Agencies as Non-Jurisdictional OR Closures as Legally Non-Sufficient MediationC omplaints Closed Investigation Prosecution Formal Hearing Before DOAH (Contests Charges) Informal Hearing Before Board (No Dispute) Hearing Waived Before Board (No Dispute) Settlement by Licensee to Board for Approval Appeal Procedures To District Courts of Appeal Compliance Monitoring Final Order Imposing Discipline Filed with Department of Health Final Board Action and Disposition Receipt and Analysis Prosecution Attorney Review Election of Rights By Licensee Dismissal/ Closure Administrative Complaint Filed with Department of Health Settlement Rejected Consumer Services (CSU) Investigation Services (ISU) Prosecution Services (PSU) Boards Compliance Management (CMU) Courts of Appeal Confidential Public Division of Medical Quality Assurance Enforcement Process This is a diagram of the Enforcement Process. PSU officially takes control of cases at the Prosecution stage (see red star), but the unit may be involved earlier at CSU or ISU’s request.