By Attorney Kristen Nelson

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a nursing shortage in Wisconsin. Now, that shortage is reaching a critical level. The State of Wisconsin and Governor Tony Evers have taken an “all hands-on deck” approach. On Friday, March 27, 2020, Governor Evers Issued Emergency Order #16, relating to certain health care providers and the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The Order applies to all heath care providers in various licensing situations.

Several administrative rules pertaining to nursing were suspended in this Order in an effort to increase the availability of nurses in Wisconsin during this health crisis. These administrative rules primarily affect new nurses and nurses whose licenses have expired.

By Attorney Kristen Nelson

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services receives about 500 complaints against doctors each year. These complaints may be investigated, and the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board may choose to take disciplinary action against a person’s medical license. Reprimands are the most common form of discipline taken, and they may be issued for a wide variety of issues within the medical field, such as minor HIPPA violations, improper record keeping, and some prescription errors.

If you are facing a potential reprimand or another form of discipline, you will want to be sure to understand the possible consequences to your license, your reputation, and your career. If you have been notified of a complaint by the Medical Examining Board, you should speak with an attorney to determine your best options for defending your medical license.

By Attorney Kristen Nelson

Doctors must be granted and maintain a medical license before they are allowed to practice medicine. Similar to a nursing license or any other professional license you can obtain in Wisconsin, there are rules and regulations that need to be followed to ensure that a doctor’s license will remain valid. The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board handles any issues involving issuing, limiting, revoking, or suspending a doctor’s medical license. If the Board determines that rules have been violated or that a doctor has acted in a way that warrants discipline, it may take action against a person’s medical license.

By Attorney Kristen Nelson

Nurses play an essential role in our medical system, and both doctors and patients rely on them to provide quality care. When you have worked to obtain your professional nursing license, you will want to be sure to do everything you can to maintain that license and continue working in your chosen field. If you are facing discipline to your nursing license, you will want to work with an attorney to understand your options.

In recent months, both the State of Wisconsin and the United States Government have put healthcare providers on notice that their prescribing practices are being scrutinized. The U.S. Attorney’s offices for the State of Wisconsin have warned high prescribers of opioids that prescribing these medications when not medically necessary could lead to criminal charges. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) is currently investigating high prescribers of opioids, and these healthcare providers could face sanctions against their license.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorneys offices in Wisconsin sent warning letters to 180 healthcare professionals in the State who have been identified by the Government as being high prescribers of opioids. This letter stated that over-prescribing these powerful and highly addictive drugs contributes to the deadly opioid crisis that has swept the country. While this letter acknowledged that these prescriptions could be “medically appropriate,” it also warned that prescribing these drugs when not “medically appropriate” could lead to criminal charges and the loss of licensure. 

A healthcare provider that received these letters should know that he/she is now on the Government’s radar, and their prescribing practice could face further scrutiny. Any healthcare provider that has received this letter and receives further contact from the Government should contact an attorney immediately.