8,417 Restriction Suspension MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE | FY 22-23 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT 2 1 1 ENFORCEMENT The Bureau of Enforcement (BOE) comprises of three units: the Consumer Services Unit (CSU), Investigative Services Unit (ISU), and Compliance Management Unit (CMU). In conjunction with the Prosecution Services Unit (PSU), BOE is tasked with enforcing the regulatory standards for health care practice as established by Florida’s statutes, rules, and laws. As the first point of contact, CSU identifies and receives all complaints submitted to MQA. This unit performs the initial analyses of complaints to determine legal sufficiency. In the second quarter, CSU received 8,417 complaints alleging the improper practice of a health care profession or the operation of establishments without an appropriate license-a 38% decrease from the previous quarter. Of those complaints, 973 were deemed legally sufficient and forwarded to an investigative team. CSU recorded the highest number of active complaints this quarter at 12,216, reflecting its position as the central intake point of the enforcement process. The other units followed with 5,060 cases in CMU, 4,387 cases in PSU, and 617 cases in ISU. Once complaints are deemed legally sufficient, ISU deploys investigators to gather evidence through conducting witness interviews or collecting documentation. In the second quarter, 1,044 total investigations were completed and presented to PSU with the corresponding investigative reports. 42% 58% After receiving ISU referrals, PSU attorneys research and litigate the cases on behalf of the health care regulatory boards and councils, including drafting emergency orders, reviewing investigations, and presenting disciplinary recommendations to the boards and councils. For suspected violations that pose an immediate and severe threat to the public, PSU may issue Emergency Orders, per section 456.074, Florida Statutes, which are signed by the State Surgeon General and provide immediate action. Emergency Restrictions Orders limit the professional activities of a suspect practitioner, whereas Emergency Suspensions Orders suspend a license for the duration of the order. During the second quarter, 58% of the 40 Emergency Orders issued were Emergency Suspension Orders whereas 42% were Emergency Restriction Orders (or 23 and 17, respectively). CMU works with licensees to ensure continued compliance with the imposed terms and penalties. In the second quarter, 312 Final Orders were imposed and, of the $635,307.27 fines and fees incurred by Final Orders, 70% (or $442,605.69) were collected. EMERGENCY ORDERS ISSUED
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