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Podiatric board reports slower investigations, fewer complaints in third quarter
Summary
Enforcement staff told the Podiatric Medical Board of California that complaints fell 9% in the third quarter while average investigation time rose, and the board accepted the enforcement report.
The Podiatric Medical Board of California heard an enforcement update reporting 31 complaints received in the third quarter (Jan. 1–March 31) and a 9% decline from the prior year, enforcement staff said.
Board members were told that 29 investigations were assigned and 36 were completed in the quarter, and that average processing time rose to about 122 days, up from 66 days in the prior-year period. Enforcement staff attributed the longer processing times in part to vacancies in the unit and said staff are working to reduce the backlog.
The report noted fluctuations in pending caseloads over the past year: roughly 30 pending cases in July, 71 in December and 65 as of March. Field investigation activity was described as limited during the quarter: five field investigations were assigned and four completed; staff said some investigation metrics still show discrepancies that are being reconciled.
Enforcement staff said 44 investigations that combined death and field inquiries closed in the period; of those, about 32% were closed within 90 days, 54% between 91 days and one year, and 14% took more than one year to close. Disciplinary activity in the quarter included three cases initiated and three final orders entered, and staff reported three citations issued year to date. The office reported one successful completion of probation and a total of seven licensees currently on probation.
On revenue recovery, staff reported cost recovery receipts and monitoring fees collected during the January–March period and described ongoing efforts to collect past‑due amounts, noting some licensees pay under multi‑year agreements.
Board members moved to receive and accept the enforcement report as part of a consent to receive committee and staff reports; the motion carried and the board recorded the action as accepted.
The enforcement presentation included a request that members raise questions about the data and noted the board will continue monitoring case aging while staffing gaps are addressed.
