RD341 - Biennial Report Department of Health Professions for the Fiscal Years July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008


Executive Summary:
The Department of Health Professions (DHP) is a state agency created to safeguard high quality and readily available health care services. DHP's work is based on the independent oversight of both individuals and facilities regulated by the Commonwealth.

2007-2008 Biennial Report

This report has been prepared in accordance with by the Code of Virginia § 54.1-114 which requires:

1. a summary of the board's fiscal affairs
2. a description of the board's activities
3. statistical information regarding board disciplinary issues
4. a summary of complaints and follow-up actions
5. board activities designed to increase its visibility and encourage public participation.

It also includes in its appendices specific statistical information pursuant to § 54.1-2400.3:

1. case processing time
2. licensees with more than two Confidential Consent agreements attendant to a standard of care issue within a ten-year time frame
3. disciplinary case staffing levels

Healthcare issues of concern to the Department of Health Professions during the fiscal years 2007 and 2008, are noted, reflecting the activities undertaken to promote better, more accessible health care provided by any of the health related occupations licensed or regulated under the legal requirements of the State of Virginia.

The core of this report is prepared from information generated by each of the thirteen individual health regulatory boards, the Prescription Monitoring Program, and the Health Practitioners Intervention Program as well as the oversight element, the Board of Health Professions.

Every board has provided a summary of its activities for the past two fiscal years to include information on I) regulations changed, adopted or repealed, 2) new initiatives implemented, and 3) trends in licensing and disciplinary cases. Other information germane to the operation of an individual board may be included as well if it is considered a significant event or influence.