ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Thank you so much for your interest in the CAN BOARD MEETINGS AND work of the North Carolina Medical Board. HEARINGS GO DIGITAL? YES.
It is tradition for the current NCMB President to orient readers of the Like most organizations and individuals, agency annual report by writing a brief letter highlighting some of the NCMB had to be both resilient and most significant events of the previous calendar year. In a way, though, creative to continue working and serving that does not seem right because the Board Member who is President the public and the profession when the when this report is released takes office in November. That means that coronavirus pandemic hit. most of the work accomplished during the calendar year 2020 happened In mid-March, NCMB closed its Raleigh offices under the watch of my predecessor, Dr. Bryant Murphy, who served as to visitors and most staff transitioned to full- Board President from Nov. 1, 2019 – Oct. 31, 2020. time work-from-home. But perhaps the biggest As you know, 2020 brought a devastating and unwelcome surprise in challenge (among all the challenges COVID-19 the form of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. NCMB was fortunate to brought) was figuring out how to continue have Dr. Murphy’s steady hand at the helm as this agency, like so many with NCMB’s bi-monthly Board Meetings and other organizations, determined how best to continue its work and be of periodic Hearings amid tight restrictions on service amid the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. public gatherings.
Some key accomplishments related to the pandemic: In May 2020, NCMB converted to a virtual meeting format for the first time in its • Virtually all NCMB staff shifted to full time telecommuting, history. NCMB has continued to with almost no lead time. present meetings virtually since then, • NCMB took numerous actions to ease barriers to licensure and scheduling a full slate of interviews and all practice for clinicians helping with the state’s pandemic response and standing committees of the Board, as well as processed emergency temporary licenses to allow retirees who recently presentations from outside groups. Hearings have inactivated a North Carolina license to quickly resume practice. adopted many virtual components as well, such TOP: Dr. Jonnalagadda • NCMB converted, for the first time, its bimonthly Board Meetings to as allowing witnesses to testify remotely. and Dr. Bryant Murphy a completely virtual format. These fully virtual sessions successfully Although NCMB looks forward to a time when BOTTOM: incorporate all aspects of the Board Meetings including confidential Dr. Jonnalagadda we can safely come together in person, virtual at NCMB’s offices at interviews with licensees and applicants. meetings have validated that many aspects of a 3127 Smoketree Court Board Meeting or Hearing can be conducted as in Raleigh I am proud to say that due to the diligence and flexibility of both Board Members and staff, NCMB’s regulatory work continued uninterrupted in well online as they are in person. For example, 2020. I hope you will enjoy reviewing all that was accomplished last year! virtual licensing and investigative interviews and remote witness participation has gone Sincerely, so smoothly and offer such convenience to participants NCMB is considering whether they should remain in the mix post-pandemic.
Venkata R. Jonnalagadda, MD Board President
2 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 3 2020–2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD MEMBERS Board Members
The North Carolina Medical Board is made up of 13 members, including eight physicians, one physician assistant, one nurse practitioner and three non-clinicians.
Board Members serve three-year terms President President-Elect William M. Brawley, W. Howard Hall, MD, Christine M. Joshua D. Malcolm, JD, and may serve up to two consecutive Venkata R. John. W. Rusher, MD, JD, Public Member, OB/GYN, Morganton Khandelwal, DO, Public Member, terms. Board Member biographies Jonnalagadda, MD, Pediatrics, Raleigh Matthews Hospice and Palliative Pembroke Psychiatry, Greenville Medicine, Apex may be viewed at www.ncmedboard.org/boardmembers.
NEW MOTTO GETS CLOSER TO NCMB’S MISSION
In 2020, Board Secretary/Treasurer At-large Member Damian F. McHugh, MD, Anuradha Jerri L. Patterson, NP, Devdutta G. Sangvai, Members voted Michaux R. Kilpatrick, Varnell McDonald- Emergency Medicine, Rao-Patel, MD, Pain Management, MD, MBA, to update the MD, Ph.D, Fletcher, PA-C, Ed.D, Raleigh Physical Medicine and West End Family Medicine, Neurological Surgery; Colorectal Surgery, Rehabilitation, Raleigh Durham motto on the Stereotactic and Durham official seal of Functional Neurosurgery, the North High Point Carolina Medical Board. The language changed from ‘Primum Non Nocere’ WE LAUNCHED A PODCAST! or “Do no harm” to ‘Salus Populi Suprema Lex’, which translates to “The safety of the NCMB took the leap in 2020 and debuted regulation, presented in an easy-to-digest format. people is the highest law.” NCMB feels the its first-ever podcast. Reaching NCMB’s two And while NCMB is still relatively new to the change more closely describes the work of primary audiences — the public and the medical podcast game, we have had success at securing the agency and is also more aligned with professionals it licenses — remains the medical nationally recognized guests, along with our At-large Member NCMB’s mission and patient protection board’s greatest challenge. in-house experts! Shawn P. Parker, mandate. A new seal with the updated JD, MPA, The new podcast, MedBoard Matters, aims to Find MedBoard Matters on your favorite podcast motto hangs in the Board Room at NCMB’s Public Member, reach both groups with timely, engaging content platform or visit www.ncmedboard.org and search new headquarters at 3127 Smoketree Court Raleigh on important topics in medicine and medical ‘podcast’ to listen to episodes on our website! in Raleigh. 4 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 5 Financial Performance
Information reported shows NCMB’s revenues and expenses for the budget beginning Nov. 1, 2019, and ending Oct. 31, 2020.
REVENUES EXPENSES ABOUT CHAPERONES ADVOCATINGABOUTABOUT CHAPERONES ADVOCATINGADVOCATING REPORTINGREPORTINGREPORTING FOR YOURSELF FOR YOURSELF INAPPROPRIATEINAPPROPRIATEINAPPROPRIATE In North Carolina, individual medical InIn NorthNorth Carolina,Carolina, individualindividual medicalmedical FORFOR YOURSELFYOURSELF INAPPROPRIATEINAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT CONDUCT practices decide on their own whether practicespractices decidedecide onon theirtheir own whether CONDUCTCONDUCT If at any time you are uncomfortable,IfIf atat anyany timetime you you are are uncomfortable,uncomfortable, uncomfortable, to use chaperones and, if so, under toto useuse chaperoneschaperones and,and, ifif so,so, underunder afraidtoto useuse or chaperoneschaperones unsure and,and, if so, your under provider’s afraid or unsure if your provider’s afraidafraid oror unsureunsure if if your your provider’s provider’sIf a provider’s demeanor,IfIfIf aa a provider’sprovider’s provider’s demeanor,demeanor, demeanor,words wordswordsor words or or or Other regulatory Corporation fees Late registration what circumstances. whatwhat circumstances.circumstances. actionswhat circumstances. are appropriate, speak up actions are appropriate, speak up fees, misc. income penalty/fee Licensing Board meetings actionsactions areare appropriate,appropriate, speakactions speak up up seem inappropriateactionsactionsactions seemseem seem inappropriateinappropriate inappropriate during duringduring during an an an an Chaperones are typical for immediately.ChaperonesChaperones are typical for immediately. 1% ChaperonesChaperones are typical for immediately.immediately. examination theexaminationexamination examinationonly way thethe the it onlyonly only can wayway way itbeit it cancan can be be be 3.5% 1.7% certain types of patient certaincertain typestypes ofof patientpatient 4.0% 0.3% Executive office/ certaincertain typestypes of patient addressed is if itaddressedaddressed addressedis reported. isis is ifif if itit it isis is reported.reported. reported. encounters, especially encounters,Say, especially “Stop” or “I need a break”. Use Say, “Stop” or “I need a break”. UseUse encounters,encounters, especiallyespecially Say, “Stop” or “I need a break”. Use communications body language, such as holding body language, such as holding intimate examinations. intimateintimate examinations.examinations. body language, such as holdingYOU MAY WISHYOU TO MAY EXERCISE WISH TO EXERCISE License intimateup examinations. hands to indicate “stop”, to up hands to indicate “stop”, to YOUYOUYOU MAYMAY MAY WISHWISH WISH TOTO TO EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE Enforcement upup hands hands to to indicate indicate “stop”, “stop”, to to ARMING PATIENTS SOME OR ALL OFSOMESOME THE OROR ALLALL OFOF THETHE emphasize your words. emphasize your words. SOMESOME OR OR ALL ALL OF OF THE THE application 8.7% emphasizeemphasize your your words. words. program THE AMERICAN MEDICAL THETHE AMERICANAMERICAN MEDICALMEDICAL FOLLOWING OPTIONS:FOLLOWINGFOLLOWING OPTIONS:OPTIONS: License THETHE AMERICANAMERICAN MEDICAL FOLLOWINGFOLLOWING OPTIONS: OPTIONS: fees ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONIf it is not CODE made OF ETHICS clear why certain If it is not made clearclear whywhy certaincertain ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS IfIf it it is is not not made made clear clear why why certain certain • Notify the practice•• NotifyNotify manager thethe practicepractice manager manager or or or 23.7% ENCOURAGES PROVIDERS TO: ENCOURAGESparts of PROVIDERS the body TO: are included parts of the body are included • Notify the practice manager or renewals WITH INFORMATION ENCOURAGESENCOURAGES PROVIDERSPROVIDERS TO: partsparts of of the the body body are are included included 12.2% ENCOURAGES PROVIDERS TO: practice administratorpracticepractice administratoradministrator of any of of any any the examination, ask for an the examination, askask forfor anan practice administrator of any IT/software • Adopt a policy that patients may • Adopt a policy that patients may the examination, ask for an unusual or inappropriateunusualunusual oror inappropriateinappropriate conduct conduct conduct •• AdoptAdopt aa policypolicy that patients may unusualunusual or or inappropriate inappropriate conduct conduct 82.5% • Adoptexplanation. a policy that patients For mayexample, “Why is explanation. For example, “Why isis ask to have a chaperone in the ask to have a chaperone in the explanation. For example, “Whyby is the medical byprovider.by thethe medicalmedical provider.provider. askask toto havehave aa chaperonechaperone in the byby the the medical medical provider. provider. 9.4% askit to necessary have a chaperone for in youthe to touch it necessary forfor youyou toto touchtouch examination room, and make sure examinationexamination room,room, and make sure it necessary for you to touch examinationexaminationmy chest?” room, and make sure my chest?” • Report the medical•• ReportReport providerthethe medicalmedical provider provider to to to my chest?” • •Report Report the the medical medical provider provider to to NCMB continuedthis policy is widely its emphasiscommunicated on thisthis policypolicy isis widelywidely communicatedcommunicated my chest?” thisthis policypolicy isis widelywidely communicated the North Carolinathethe NorthNorth Medical CarolinaCarolina Medical Medical thethe North North Carolina Carolina Medical Medical to all patients. toto Ifallall youpatients.patients. are too scared or If you are too scaredscared oror toto allall patients.patients. If you are too scared or Board (NCMB), orBoardBoard to (NCMB),(NCMB), the oror to to the the If you are too scared or BoardBoard (NCMB), (NCMB), or or to to the the uncomfortable to go on with the uncomfortable to go on with theappropriate licensingappropriate Board. licensing Board. protecting• Always patients provide a chaperone from sexual if a •• AlwaysAlways provideprovide a chaperone if a uncomfortableuncomfortable to to go go on on with with the the appropriateappropriate licensinglicensing Board. Board. •• AlwaysAlways provide a chaperone if a appropriate licensing Board. exam, say “I can’t continue”. Stand exam, say “I can’t continue”. StandStand patient asks for one. patientpatient asksasks forfor one. exam, say “I can’t continue”. Stand patient asks for one. • If you have been•• IfIf youyouassaulted, havehave beenbeen assaulted, assaulted, report report report NCPHP up and prepare to leave the room, up and prepare to leave the room, • If you have been assaulted, report up and prepare to leave the room,to local law enforcement.to local law enforcement. • Use authorized members of the •• UseUse authorizedauthorized members of the toto locallocal lawlaw enforcement.enforcement. misconduct by a medical provider in • Useif authorizedneeded. members of the if needed. to local law enforcement. • Use authorized members of the if needed. health care team as chaperones healthhealth carecare teamteam as chaperones 11.9% General health care team as chaperones and ensure that standards for andand ensureensure thatthat standardsstandards for operations 2020 by developing new resources and ensure that standards for privacy and confidentiality are met. privacyprivacy andand confidentialityconfidentiality are met. privacy and confidentiality are met. A complaint may AA complaintcomplaint maymay • Ensure that patients are given • Ensure that patients are given A complaint may •• EnsureEnsure thatthat patientspatients are given be filed with the be filed with the 15.3% • Ensure that patients are given bebe filedfiled withwith thethe a chance to discuss concerns a chance to discuss concerns be filed with the to help patients understand what to aa chancechance toto discussdiscuss concerns NCMB at: NCMB at: a chance to discuss concerns NCMBNCMB at:at: Insurance & or questions with the medical oror questionsquestions withwith the medical NCMB at: or questions with the medical ncmedboard.org/ncmedboard.org/ncmedboard.org/ provider in private (without the providerprovider inin privateprivate (without the expect during a physical examination. complaints complaintsncmedboard.org/ employee benefits chaperone in the room) after the providerchaperone in privatein the room) (without after the the complaintscomplaints chaperonechaperone inin thethe room)room) after the complaints Legal & hearing chaperone in the room) after the examination is over. examinationexamination isis over.over. 12.3% expenses examination is over. 13.5% The Power of Touch explains the four main hands-on techniques PRESERVING physicians and other medical providersPATIENT use DIGNITY
License renewals $11,215,500 Enforcement program $2,652,500 Patients have the right to be treated with when conducting physical examinations.respect and sensitivity to the vulnerable License application fees $1,654,100 General operations $1,705,900 position they are in when undergoing a physical examination. THE POWER Undergoing a Physical Examination: Your OF TOUCH Other regulatory fees, misc. income $555,700 Legal & hearing expenses $1,511,400 YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER
SHOULD ENSURE THIS BY: Although laboratory tests and medical Rights covers what to expect during a physical imaging are increasingly important Corporation fees $134,500 Insurance & employee benefits $1,374,600 • Performing the examination in a diagnostic tools in medicine, physical private room. examination, including the patient’s right to examinationsHELP remain FOR an important UNDERGOING • Providing a private area for you to Late registration penalty/fee $37,800 NCPHP $1,333,200 part of medical practice. dress and undress privately and toundress request and re-dress, andthat giving a PATIENTS you a gown or drape to cover up Medical professionals are trained A PHYSICAL NCMB’s Victim Services with, if you will need to disrobe for to use a variety of hands-on IT/software $1,046,600 Program helps patients TOTAL* $13,597,600 chaperone be present during the theexam. examination. You should never techniques during physical be asked to take your clothing off through the trauma of EXAMINATION: examinations. Remember that you in front of a medical professional or sexual misconduct at the
Executive office/communications $971,800 staff member. have the right to ask about what hands of a trusted * Totals rounded to the nearest hundred the provider is doing and why at YOUR RIGHTS Know the Signs of Sexual Misconduct• Using cloth or paper is drapes to avoid medical professional. any time. Common examination Licensing program $402,400 exposing parts of your body that are intended to help patients recognizenot part of thebehaviors examination. techniques include: • Having another member of the INSPECTION Board Meetings $184,800 medical staff (such as a nurse) is The provider carefully assesses that are inappropriate and unacceptable, or that Learn more at: in the room when you undergo an the patient, looking for normal intimate examination such as a ncmedboard.org/condition and irregularities. The TOTAL $11,183,200 could signal a provider is “grooming”pelvic or rectal examination. a patient This for victimservices provider may lightly hold, turn or observer is known as a chaperone. adjust the part of the body he or she is examining. possible sexual contact. • Always wearing gloves when Inspection can help identify performing your intimate swelling, inflammation, muscle examination. tone, bruising, cuts, lumps or Resources are available in both English and other abnormalities. Spanish at www.ncmedboard.org/brochures. NCMB collected $7,500 in administrative fines during the 2020 budget NCMB has also developed video versions of each year, which was distributed to local school systems in the state. brochure. Visit www.ncmedboard.org/videos to access this content.
6 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 7 SUPPORTING THE STATE’S OUTREACH GOES VIRTUAL
PANDEMIC RESPONSE NCMB’s total licensee population (LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE) increased by more than seven percent NCMB does not have a direct role in In 2020, NCMB had bold plans to ramp in 2020. This bumper growth was planning or executing North Carolina’s up its efforts to reach members of the inflated by the issuance of about 2,000 strategy for protecting public health public by increasing its presence at emergency temporary licenses and reducing the spread of COVID-19. community health fairs and other events But as the agency that licenses and to clinicians seeking to assist with where people gather to learn about regulates physicians and physician North Carolina’s pandemic response. resources and services available to help assistants, NCMB has been able to them live healthy, productive lives. make key policy changes to support And then came COVID-19. the state’s pandemic response. In November 2020, NCMB presented a virtual mock Total Licensee Population disciplinary committee experience to students at The pandemic forced NCMB to The agency’s main priorities Campbell University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. (as of Dec. 31, 2020) recalibrate its goals for the year, as regarding COVID-19 include: event after event was cancelled. Within 1. Easing barriers to licensure and PHYSICIANS BY SEX* TOTAL LICENSEE POPULATION weeks, however, organizations started practice and 2. Communicating to embrace digital platforms. NCMB Female pandemic-related information to 39,808 40000 participated in multiple virtual health licensed medical professionals. fairs in 2020, reaching hundreds or even 35000 For the latter, NCMB is committed thousands of online attendees with 30000 MDs: 13,126 DOs: 1,157 to ensuring that physicians and PAs information about the medical board’s 25000 have timely, accurate information mission and responsibilities. NCMB also 20000 Male about COVID-19, as well as guidance reached numerous medical professional, on expectations for conduct and 15000 student, resident and stakeholder 8,823 quality of care amid the challenges 10000 audiences through virtual presentations. MDs: 25,179 DOs: 1,899 of the pandemic. 5000 3,162 3,355 50 183 As NCMB continues its focus on public 0 With respect to reducing barriers to MDs DOs RTLs PAs AAs LPs and professional outreach, we may one licensure and practice, NCMB’s priority day look on our forced initiation to digital PAs BY SEX* has been to ensure that North Carolina presenting as a boon. With the need to has as many qualified clinicians as travel out of the way, virtual outreach will PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY NCMB possible available to assist with COVID-19 make it easier for NCMB to present to and non-COVID-19 related medical MD = Allopathic physician audiences of any size, anywhere. needs. Through numerous policy DO = Osteopathic physician Contact [email protected] changes, special orders, rule changes Total Total Female Male to schedule a presentation tailored and even a new license type, NCMB RTL = Resident Training Licensee 67% 33% to the interests of your organization. helped thousands of clinicians get to 5,797 2,799 work in North Carolina in 2020. PA = Physician Assistant
LP = Licensed Perfusionist
*Total does not equal total population because a small AA = Anesthesiologist Assistant number of licensees decline to state their sex
8 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 9 Physicians and PAs by County Licensing Program
NCMB’s licensing program is integral to its public 28% County MD/DO PA County MD/DO PA County MD/DO PA protection mission. Rigorous licensing requirements Limited Emergency Alamance 304 77 Gaston 441 103 Pender 26 15 ensure that only clinicians who meet NCMB’s high Licenses Alexander 15 9 Gates 1 1 Perquimans 3 3 standards are issued a professional license. Alleghany 16 2 Graham 6 1 Person 31 20 7,066 Anson 15 3 Granville 134 20 Pitt 1014 172 LICENSES ISSUED IN 2020 Total Licenses Issued in 2020 Ashe 31 5 Greene 11 3 Polk 36 12 Avery 28 2 Guilford 1485 408 Randolph 96 34 Physician licenses
Beaufort 56 18 Halifax 77 20 Richmond 29 14 Full physician license (MD) 2,394 Bertie 9 6 Harnett 106 86 Robeson 167 70 Bladen 20 9 Haywood 125 25 Rockingham 87 28 Full physician license (DO) 394 Brunswick 172 65 Henderson 307 75 Rowan 284 93 Limited emergency license 1,737 The coronavirus pandemic had Buncombe 1409 335 Hertford 55 12 Rutherford 75 30 a signficant impact on NCMB’s Volunteer license 180 Burke 220 48 Hoke 34 19 Sampson 50 13 Licensing Program in 2020. Cabarrus 541 128 Hyde 2 2 Scotland 70 23 Special permit/faculty 15 Nearly 28 percent of all licenses limited license Caldwell 82 19 Iredell 357 103 Stanly 76 15 issued were limited emergency Camden 2 1 Jackson 92 17 Stokes 27 10 TOTAL 4,720 licenses — a type granted to Carteret 130 35 Johnston 154 84 Surry 126 41 medical professionals seeking Caswell 6 2 Jones 15 1 Swain 34 20 to meet the state’s medical Catawba 435 117 Lee 107 36 Transylvania 59 7 Physician assistant licenses needs during the pandemic. Chatham 53 17 Lenoir 108 21 Tyrell 1 0 Full PA license 893 Cherokee 38 7 Lincoln 97 31 Union 267 66 Limited emergency license 226 Chowan 28 6 Macon 65 9 Vance 72 29
Clay 11 3 Madison 15 3 Wake 3156 1063 Volunteer license 18 Cleveland 174 33 Martin 22 6 Warren 4 3 TOTAL 1,137 Columbus 66 20 McDowell 46 17 Washington 3 0 Craven 287 65 Mecklenburg 4036 1083 Watauga 147 41 Cumberland 879 333 Mitchell 26 12 Wayne 224 66 Resident licenses Currituck 10 7 Montgomery 11 12 Wilkes 81 27 DOs 200 Dare 70 18 Moore 412 145 Wilson 127 49 Davidson 130 52 Nash 175 46 Yadkin 17 4 MDs 982 Davie 70 28 New Hanover 895 279 Yancey 17 5 TOTAL 1,182 Duplin 44 18 Northampton 2 1 TOTAL 29,014 7,664 Durham 2994 579 Onslow 254 109 In State
Edgecombe 46 16 Orange 2104 165 TOTAL 13,956 1,159 Other license types issued Out of State Forsyth 2298 605 Pamlico 9 4 Anesthesiology assistants 6 Franklin 15 9 Pasquotank 118 35 TOTAL 42,970 8,823
Licensed perfusionist 21
10 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 11 Enforcement Activity CASES OPENED 2020
NCMB’s enforcement program includes opening, investigating, reviewing, evaluating and prosecuting Cases opened by type/source* disciplinary cases. Staff in the Investigations, Legal and Chief Medical Officer’s departments are primarily Complaints from patients/public 1,193 responsible for enforcement activities. Review of out-of-state action 290
Malpractice payment reviews 245 ENFORCEMENT OVERVIEW Field investigations section 243
Issue reported on Annual Renewal 123
Issue reported on license application 71
Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative 24 2,235 135
Cases opened Cases determined 132 27 *Sources that resulted in fewer than 10 cases being opened are not shown outside NCMB Public actions, Public actions, COVID EFFECT OR NATURAL EBB? jurisdiction adverse non-adverse Cases opened by primary allegation* NCMB worked hard to ensure that
Quality of care 648 its regulatory work could continue uninterrupted despite the challenges Communication issue 311 of COVID-19. Still, it was not known Review of out-of-state medical 375 250 if the pandemic would impact case board action 2,100 2,118 Private letters of concern volume and, if so, by how much. Prescribing issues 192 Cases determined Cases closed Adverse information self-reported NCMB investigated 2,100 matters potentially actionable 112 by licensee determined to be potentially Medical records issue 54 actionable in 2020, down about
Sexual misconduct/boundary 6 percent from 2019. The drop can 42 violation be attributed partly to a 4 percent Complaints from patients and the public are the leading source of Licensee alcohol/substance use 34 decline in NCMB’s largest single source enforcement cases. On average, it took 113 days to close a Complaint of enforcement cases — complaints case in 2020. Billing/fee/insurance issue 27 by patients and the public. A more Patient abandoned, dismissed 27 or refused appointment significant drop (nearly 18 percent Felony/misdemeanor arrest, compared to 2019) in the second 24 charge or conviction largest source of cases — NCMB Inappropriate or absent supervision 14 investigations opened based on of APP or other medical professional actions taken by other state medical Failure to disclose reportable 13 information boards also contributed. It seems
Unethical/unprofessional conduct 13 likely that COVID-19 is at least partly
responsible for these decreases. *Allegations that resulted in fewer than 10 cases being opened are not shown
12 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 13 NCMB’S COMMITMENT Case Resolutions The number of adverse public TO EQUITY and Actions Taken actions taken by NCMB was virtually The unlawful killing of George Floyd, an unarmed unchanged in 2020, compared to the Black man, by police in May 2020 ignited a raw ABOUT CASE RESOLUTIONS previous year, despite a drop in the and painful reckoning in our society regarding No action: The most common reason number of potentially actionable cases. systemic racism. NCMB was not immune, for a case to be closed with no action despite its status as an impartial regulatory is that NCMB is unable to determine body that does not advocate or take social or that a violation of the Medical Practice political positions. Act (the law that gives the Board its CASE RESOLUTIONS 2020 NCMB’s Chief Executive Office R. David authority) has occurred. If no violation Henderson, JD, condemned the senseless loss is present, NCMB does not have a legal Adverse actions basis for action. of Mr. Floyd’s life in a message to NCMB staff. Conditions on license/practice 48 He wrote: Private action: A case that is closed Public letters of concern 35 Some might ask: How does Mr. Floyd’s death with a private action (e.g. a confidential Reprimand 17 relate to the Board’s work — or my work? letter) may include possible violations or For me, it’s a recommitment to: involve departures from good medical Limitations on license/practice 16 practice but, for a variety of reasons, • conduct my work honestly, impartially License suspensions 12 the Board does not believe a public and free of bias; CAUSES OF ADVERSE ACTIONS action is warranted. Amended orders 2 • [NCMB’s] core values which are integrity, Non-practice agreements 2 Quality of care 51 excellence and accountability, as well as Public action – adverse: The most progressivity, which we define as serious outcome for an enforcement License revocations 0 Prescribing 20 moving forward with creativity, inclusion case. Cases that are closed with adverse License denials 0 Action by out-of-state 16 and innovation; public actions typically involve one or medical board more serious departures from accepted License surrenders 0 • honest self-reflection and continuous Other unprofessional conduct 12 standards of care and clear evidence improvement — challenging myself to ask the TOTAL 132 that a violation of the Medical Practice Alcohol/substance use 8 hard questions needed to ensure I act with Act has occurred. the highest integrity. Sexual misconduct 6 Non-adverse actions Public action – non-adverse: An action Failure to cooperate with Board NCMB took numerous steps in 2020 to nurture 2 that is public but not disciplinary in Consent orders lifted 17 order or request equity and inclusion, in part by requiring or nature. Examples include issuance of Amendment to Board order 2 encouraging Board Members and staff to Reentry agreements 8 a special permit license, or reentry to participate in numerous trainings on social justice. Medical records issue 2 the practice of medicine after a leave Special purpose license 2 In addition, NCMB’s current Board President Mental/physical condition not associated with discipline 1 established a Diversity & Inclusion Workgroup TOTAL 27 affecting practice or remediation. to demonstrate Board-level commitment to this issue.
14 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 15 MEDIA CONTACT NCMB’s Communications Department is available to discuss information and data contained in this report. Contact us for assistance with questions, data requests and other needs.
Evelyn Contre Address – NEW! Chief Communications Officer 3127 Smoketree Court 919.326.1109 x235 Raleigh NC 27604 [email protected] Website Jean Fisher Brinkley www.ncmedboard.org Communications Director 919.326.1109 x230 Social [email protected] Facebook: NCMedBoard Twitter: @NCMedBoard