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News Release — July 12, 2007

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MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

July 12, 2007

Medical Board of California announces improvements
in its diversion program for impaired physicians

SACRAMENTO—In response to the State Auditor's report of June 2007 on the Medical Board of California's physician diversion program, the board has implemented the following measures to ensure the public is adequately protected from physicians in the diversion program. Executive Director Dave Thornton said, "Consistent with its mandate of public protection, the board has worked swiftly to make meaningful changes in its diversion program."

  • Any physician who tests positive for alcohol or drugs will be immediately suspended from the practice of medicine (this is current diversion program policy) and not allowed to return to practice until the matter is fully evaluated and board executive management is satisfied the physician no longer poses a threat.
  • To ensure compliance with this zero-tolerance policy, the board's executive director and/or deputy director review on a daily basis all positive test results, and verify that those physicians who test positive have been removed from practice.
  • Diversion program staff has conducted a review of all work-site monitors and removed any monitor who had a conflict of interest with the physician he or she was monitoring. This review was completed on July 2, 2007. If a work-site monitor is removed, the physician must cease the practice of medicine until another, appropriate work-site monitor is in place.
  • To correct deficiencies identified by the auditor regarding the diversion program's random drug testing procedures related to unapproved vacation requests, the new policy in effect now requires diversion participants to submit vacation requests to the case manager and group facilitator at least 14 days in advance for approval. Requests that do not comply with this new policy are not approved.

In addition to these interim measures, the board's staff will continue to work on additional improvements as recommended by the auditor. At its July 26-27 quarterly meeting, the board will have a comprehensive discussion on the future of the program.

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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.mbc.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

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