The Missouri State Auditor has released an audit of the Board of Therapeutic Massage, which received a performance rating of "good." One area of concern was the lack of proper follow-up procedures to ensure massage therapy businesses are meeting all licensing requirements and the lack of procedures to confirm that continuing education requirements are being completed. Another area of concern was inadequate procedures related to access to computer systems with confidential licensee information.
December 09, 2015
November 18, 2015
Missouri Dental Board audit released
The Missouri State Auditor has released the report on the audit of the Missouri Dental Board, resulting in a performance rating of "good." Areas identified for corrective action related to how complaints are received, with recommendations to strengthen its procedures to ensure that action is taken when deficiencies in licensing and permit requirements are identified. Another area of concern is establishing adequate procedures to protect against date security risks. The audit found that terminated employees and temporary users still had access to computer systems containing confidential licensee information.
September 20, 2013
Idaho legislative audit: one-third of boards served by central agency have negative balances
A report from Idaho's Legislative Audits division has expressed concern that over fiscal years 2009-2012 (inclusive) "One-third of the boards served by the Bureau of Occupational Licenses report negative cash balances totaling almost $622,000." The report continues that "seven of the boards have had a negative balance for more than three years and, of those, the negative cash balance has increased for three of the boards. These negative cash balances are supported by the positive cash balances of the remaining boards. The total cash balance for all the boards in the Occupational Licenses is almost $3.1 million; over half of this positive cash balance is due to one board." In its response, the agency noted that "Simply stated, the current approach of using one account and one appropriation provides boards with a continuity of operations in carrying out their mandate to protect the public while ensuring stability in fees for licensees."
Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/09/17/2764884/auditors-flag-subsidy-to-occupational.html#storylink=cpy
July 12, 2013
UK Professional Standards Authority Releases Annual Performance Review
The Professional Standards Authority has released the 2012-2013 performance review for the various health and care professions regulators throughout the UK. The performance review is the annual check on how effective the regulators have been in protecting the public and promoting confidence in health professionals in the UK, social workers in England and in the regulators themselves. Regulators’ performance is assessed in their four regulatory functions: guidance and standards, education and training, registration and fitness to practice using the PSA’s Standards of Good Regulation. The report indicates that regulators were generally performing well against most of the Standards of Good Regulation and are meeting their statutory responsibilities. Three regulators were identified as not meeting one or more of the Standards of Good Regulation and specific actions are already in place to address the areas of concern.
The three major changes for the PSA in the preceding year, namely acquiring oversight of the regulation of social workers, advising the Privy Council on appointments to the regulator’s councils and the accreditation scheme for voluntary occupational registers, were said to have been ‘implemented effectively and on time’.
The report indicated that the number of cases reviewed in the 12 month period covered by the Report is 2,738 (more than double the number 5 years ago). Of the 2,738 cases received by the PSA this year, 1,932 were closed with no requirement for more information. Additional information was sought and considered in 377 cases.
April 20, 2012
UK meta-regulator publishes interim report on nursing regulator
The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence has published an interim report on the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as part of a strategic review of the regulator. The report includes 16 recommendations "in relation to organisational purpose, structure, governance and leadership, including the management of operations by the executive of the NMC and the oversight of its Council", with a wider range of issues to be covered in the full strategic review, which is to be published in June 2012.
Recommendations include the appointment of Council member with a financial qualification, to assist in the effective oversight of finances, and an improvement in the quality of management information. Additional recommendations relate to business information, decision-making structures and governance, as well as identifying the qualities that a future Chief Executive and Chair should have.
June 12, 2009
Illinois: DFPR audit shows need for improvement
The state Auditor General has released a report on the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation listing several areas of noncompliance. The findings include not exercising adequate controls over computer inventory (52 computers containing unknown data were not accounted for) and a failure of the enforcement unit to properly perform and/or document enforcement activities. Read the report synopsis. Read the full report.
May 26, 2009
Texas: podiatric board report
In Performance Measures at the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners the state auditor says the board's average complaint resolution time is 416 days, with 43% of complaints resolved within six months.
April 03, 2009
Washington: DOH accountability report
The state auditor has released an accountability report for the Department of Health (DOH) covering the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Two internal problem areas are noted, including security and monitoring of cash receipts. The department says it does not have adequate staffing to comply in full with the recommendations. DOH is responsible for several consumer protection areas, including the licensing and certification of 62 different types of health professionals. Read the report.
March 07, 2008
Maine: fiscal analysis of boards and commissions
State Boards, Committees, Commissions, and Councils — Opportunities May Exist to Improve the State’s Fiscal Position and Increase Efficiency has been released by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA). This fiscal analysis identifies several areas for potential savings, including "occupational and professional licensing boards that have largely, but not completely, consolidated administration." It also identifies boards that may have overlapping responsibilities, such as those with respective responsibility for guides, whitewater guides and whitewater safety.
September 09, 2007
Washington: comprehensive report on health professions
The governor's requested performance audit of the state health care licensing and disciplinary system is complete. In its assessment of the Health Professions' Quality Assurance (HPQA) Office of the Department of Health, the auditors found that each year, fewer than 5 percent of credentialed health professionals face disciplinary action, yet some 85 percent of HPQA’s $23 million budget is spent on discipline-related actions. Among the recommendations are giving the department the statutory authority to access Washington State Patrol and FBI information for background checks,introducing negotiated statutory performance-based provisions for boards and commissions, and eliminating the registered counselor credential. Read the complete report.
