Texas Medical Board Implements a System to Increase Efficiency to Deal with Minor Violations

            The Texas Medical Board has adopted a new fast-track enforcement procedure to quickly resolve minor administrative violations by eliminating a lengthy investigation. Currently, the average time to resolve a minor administrative violation was upwards of 360 days. The new fast-track procedure shortens this time to as few as 60 days. Physicians who choose to participate in the new streamlined system can agree to administrative charges and pay a fine, rather than undergo a full investigation. A physician who disputes the charges can contest the violation in writing and the case will be reviewed by a board committee. The entire fast track program is strictly optional and the TMB’s traditional investigation and hearing process is still available.

            “This will benefit both the medical community and medical consumers in Texas ,” said Dr. Donald Patrick, TMB’s executive director. “Doctors will be able to dispose of relatively minor administrative violations quickly. Consumers benefit from the new enforcement procedure because TMB will be able to concentrate its limited investigative resources to more serious cases.”

           Administrative violations punishable only by a fine will be eligible for fast-track consideration if the physician elects to utilize the process. Fast-track applicable violations include failure to provide medical records in a timely manner, failure to file a change of address with TMB, failure to sign a death certificate in a timely manner, failure to obtain required continuing medical education, and other administrative violations. Alleged violations of unprofessional conduct or inadequate patient care are not eligible for fast-track consideration. The number of times a licensee may opt for fast-track consideration will be limited to three times.