MQA Quarterly Performance Report

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MQA Q1 2014 - 2015 17
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, F.S., 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 5,598
Legally Sufficient 1,477
Investigations Completed 1,265
Citations Issued 8
Dismissed by Panel 699
Probable Cause Found 322
Probable Cause Dismissed 47
Final Orders 336
EMERGENCY ORDERS ISSUED
Emergency Restriction Orders 46
Emergency Suspension Orders 18
Total Emergency Orders 64
FINES AND COST DATA FOR CURRENT LICENSES
Dollar Amount Collected $768,058.44
Dollar Amount Imposed $655,779.02
Percentage Collected 117%
PENDING WORKLOAD
Consumer Services 2,440
Investigative Services 866
Prosecution Services 4,361
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