By: Jennifer L. Strange, Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting complaints against health care practitioners. In Indiana, there are 20 boards and committees that regulate health care practitioners, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nursing home administrators, veterinarians or other health care practitioners.
Since January 1st of this year, the AG’s office in Indiana has filed 76 disciplinary complaints against nurses, 15 disciplinary complaints against pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, 12 disciplinary complaints against physicians, 3 disciplinary complaints against dentists or dental hygienists and 3 disciplinary complaints against chiropractors. Common violations that trigger disciplinary action include: failing to disclose termination or discipline in another state, diverting medication, addition to or abuse of alcohol or drugs, conviction of a crime, knowingly violating a statute or rule regulating the profession in question or becoming unfit to practice.
WHAT NOT TO DO if a complaint has been filed against your license: ignore the complaint and relevant deadlines, or show up unprepared for a settlement conference or disciplinary hearing.
WHAT TO DO if a complaint has been filed against your license: take the matter seriously, pay attention to deadlines, contact Indiana’s Professional Licensing Agency with any questions and seek the advice of counsel immediately.