Section 448.675. Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

 

(1)   Investigation; hearing; action.

(a) The affiliated credentialing board shall investigate allegations of unprofessional conduct and negligence in treatment by a licensee. Information contained in reports filed with the affiliated credentialing board under s. 49.45 (2) (a) 12r. , 50.36 (3) (b) , 609.17 or 632.715 , or under 42 CFR 1001.2005 , shall be investigated by the affiliated credentialing board. Information contained in a report filed with the affiliated credentialing board under s. 50.36 (3) (c) may, within the discretion of the affiliated credentialing board, be used as the basis of an investigation of a person named in the report. The affiliated credentialing board may require a licensee to undergo and may consider the results of a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that the results of the examination may be useful to the affiliated credentialing board in conducting its investigation.

(b) After an investigation, if the affiliated credentialing board finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, the affiliated credentialing board shall hold a hearing on such conduct. The affiliated credentialing board may require a licensee to undergo and may consider the results of a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that the results of the examination may be useful to the affiliated credentialing board in conducting its hearing. A finding by a court that a podiatrist has acted negligently in treating a patient is conclusive evidence that the podiatrist is guilty of negligence in treatment. A certified copy of the order of a court is presumptive evidence that the finding of negligence in treatment was made. The affiliated credentialing board shall render a decision within 90 days after the date on which the hearing is held or, if subsequent proceedings are conducted under s. 227.46 (2) , within 90 days after the date on which those proceedings are completed.

(c) After a disciplinary hearing, the affiliated credentialing board may, when it determines that a court has found that a person has been negligent in treating a patient or when it finds a person guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, do one or more of the following: warn or reprimand that person, or limit, suspend or revoke a license granted by the affiliated credentialing board to that person. The affiliated credentialing board may condition the removal of limitations on a license, or the restoration of a suspended or revoked license, upon obtaining minimum results specified by the affiliated credentialing board on a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that obtaining the minimum results is related to correcting one or more of the bases upon which the limitation, suspension or revocation was imposed.

(d) A person whose license is limited shall be permitted to continue practice if the person agrees to do all of the following:

1. Refrain from engaging in unprofessional conduct.

2. Appear before the affiliated credentialing board or its officers or agents at such times and places designated by the affiliated credentialing board.

3. Fully disclose to the affiliated credentialing board or its officers or agents the nature of the person's practice and conduct.

4. Fully comply with the limits placed on his or her practice and conduct by the affiliated credentialing board.

5. Obtain additional training, education or supervision required by the affiliated credentialing board.

6. Cooperate with the affiliated credentialing board.

(e) Unless a suspended license is revoked during the period of suspension, upon expiration of the period of suspension the affiliated credentialing board shall reinstate the person's license, except that the affiliated credentialing board may, as a condition precedent to the reinstatement of the license, require the person to pass the examinations required for the original grant of the license.

(f) The affiliated credentialing board shall comply with rules of procedure for the investigation, hearing and action promulgated by the department under s. 440.03 (1) .

(g) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the affiliated credentialing board, in its discretion, from investigating and conducting disciplinary proceedings on allegations of unprofessional conduct by a licensee when the allegations of unprofessional conduct may also constitute allegations of negligence in treatment.

(2)   Suspension pending hearing. The affiliated credentialing board may summarily suspend a license granted by the affiliated credentialing board for a period not to exceed 30 days pending hearing if the affiliated credentialing board has in its possession evidence establishing probable cause to believe that the licensee has violated the provisions of this subchapter and that it is necessary to suspend the license immediately to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The licensee shall be granted an opportunity to be heard during the determination of whether or not probable cause exists. The affiliated credentialing board may designate any of its officers to exercise the authority granted by this subsection to suspend summarily a license, for a period not exceeding 72 hours. If a license has been summarily suspended by the affiliated credentialing board or any of its officers, the affiliated credentialing board may, while the hearing is in progress, extend the initial period of suspension for not more than an additional 30 days. If the licensee has caused a delay in the hearing process, the affiliated credentialing board may subsequently suspend the license from the time the hearing is commenced until a final decision is issued or may delegate such authority to the hearing examiner.

(3)   Voluntary surrender. A licensee may voluntarily surrender his or her license to the secretary of the affiliated credentialing board, but the secretary may refuse to accept the surrender if the affiliated credentialing board has received an allegation of unprofessional conduct against the licensee. The affiliated credentialing board may negotiate stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of a license.

(4)   Restoration of license, certificate or limited permit. The affiliated credentialing board may restore a license which has been voluntarily surrendered or revoked under this subchapter on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.

1997 a. 175 . Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 2 , Wis. adm. code.