448.015(1)
(1) "Board" means medical examining board.
448.015(2)
(2) "Respiratory care" means that branch or system of treating the sick which is limited to assisting in the prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of respiratory disorders by various means, including the administration of medical gases, oxygen therapy, ventilation therapy, artificial airway care, bronchial hygiene therapy, aerosolization of pharmacological agents, respiratory rehabilitation therapy and other treatment, testing, evaluation and rehabilitation procedures performed under the direction of a physician, but not including the use of general anesthetic agents.
448.015(3)
(3) "Respiratory care practitioner" means an individual who practices respiratory care.
448.015(4)
(4) "Unprofessional conduct" means those acts or attempted acts of commission or omission defined as unprofessional conduct by the board under the authority delegated to the board by
s. 15.08 (5) (b) and any act by a physician [or] physician assistant in violation of
ch. 450 or
961.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (4) is shown as affected eff. 2-1-99 by two acts of the 1997 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c). The bracketed language is inserted to correct grammar. Correction legislation is pending. Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(4) "Unprofessional conduct" means those acts or attempted acts of commission or omission defined as unprofessional conduct by the board under the authority delegated to the board by s. 15.08 (5) (b) and any act by a physician in violation of ch. 450 or 961.
448.015 History
History: 1997 a. 175 ss.
16,
23,
24,
25,
27; s. 13.93 (2) (c).
448.02(1)(1)
License. The board may grant licenses, including various classes of temporary licenses, to practice medicine and surgery [and] to practice as a physician assistant.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as affected eff. 2-1-99 by two acts of the 1997 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c). The bracketed language must be inserted for correct grammar. Corrective legislation is pending. Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(1) License. The board may grant licenses, including various classes of temporary licenses, to practice medicine and surgery.
448.02(2)
(2) Certificate. The board may certify occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and respiratory care practitioners.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (2) is shown as amended eff. 2-1-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 67. Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(2) Certificate. The board may certify physician assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and respiratory care practitioners.
448.02(3)
(3) Investigation; hearing; action. 448.02(3)(a)(a) The board shall investigate allegations of unprofessional conduct and negligence in treatment by persons holding a license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board. An allegation that a physician has violated
s. 253.10 (3),
448.30 or
450.13 (2) or has failed to mail or present a medical certification required under
s. 69.18 (2) within 21 days after the pronouncement of death of the person who is the subject of the required certificate or that a physician has failed at least 6 times within a 6-month period to mail or present a medical certificate required under
s. 69.18 (2) within 6 days after the pronouncement of death of the person who is the subject of the required certificate is an allegation of unprofessional conduct. Information contained in reports filed with the board under
s. 49.45 (2) (a) 12r.,
50.36 (3) (b),
609.17 or
632.715, or under
42 CFR 1001.2005, shall be investigated by the board. Information contained in a report filed with the board under
s. 655.045 (1), as created by
1985 Wisconsin Act 29, which is not a finding of negligence or in a report filed with the board under
s. 50.36 (3) (c) may, within the discretion of the board, be used as the basis of an investigation of a person named in the report. The board may require a person holding a license, certificate or limited permit to undergo and may consider the results of one or more physical, mental or professional competency examinations if the board believes that the results of any such examinations may be useful to the board in conducting its investigation.
448.02(3)(b)
(b) After an investigation, if the board finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, the board shall hold a hearing on such conduct. The board may use any information obtained by the board or the department under
s. 655.17 (7) (b), as created by
1985 Wisconsin Act 29, in an investigation or a disciplinary proceeding, including a public disciplinary proceeding, conducted under this subsection and the board may require a person holding a license, certificate or limited permit to undergo and may consider the results of one or more physical, mental or professional competency examinations if the board believes that the results of any such examinations may be useful to the board in conducting its hearing. A unanimous finding by a panel established under s.
655.02, 1983 stats., or a finding by a court that a physician has acted negligently in treating a patient is conclusive evidence that the physician is guilty of negligence in treatment. A finding that is not a unanimous finding by a panel established under s.
655.02, 1983 stats., that a physician has acted negligently in treating a patient is presumptive evidence that the physician is guilty of negligence in treatment. A certified copy of the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order of the panel or the order of a court is presumptive evidence that the finding of negligence in treatment was made. The board shall render a decision within 90 days after the date on which the hearing is held or, if subsequent proceedings are conducted under
s. 227.46 (2), within 90 days after the date on which those proceedings are completed.
448.02(3)(c)
(c) Subject to
par. (cm), after a disciplinary hearing, the board may, when it determines that a panel established under s.
655.02, 1983 stats., has unanimously found or a court has found that a person has been negligent in treating a patient or when it finds a person guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, do one or more of the following: warn or reprimand that person, or limit, suspend or revoke any license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board to that person. The board may condition the removal of limitations on a license, certificate or limited permit or the restoration of a suspended or revoked license, certificate or limited permit upon obtaining minimum results specified by the board on one or more physical, mental or professional competency examinations if the board believes that obtaining the minimum results is related to correcting one or more of the bases upon which the limitation, suspension or revocation was imposed.
448.02(3)(cm)
(cm) The board may initiate disciplinary action against a physician no later than one year after initiating an investigation of an allegation involving the death of a patient and no later than 3 years after initiating an investigation of any other allegation, unless the board shows to the satisfaction of the secretary that a specified extension of time is necessary for the board to determine whether a physician is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment. For purposes of this paragraph, the date that a matter is reopened under
sub. (8) (c) is considered the date that an investigation of the matter is initiated.
448.02(3)(e)
(e) A person whose license, certificate or limited permit is limited under this subchapter shall be permitted to continue practice upon condition that the person will refrain from engaging in unprofessional conduct; that the person will appear before the board or its officers or agents at such times and places as may be designated by the board from time to time; that the person will fully disclose to the board or its officers or agents the nature of the person's practice and conduct; that the person will fully comply with the limits placed on his or her practice and conduct by the board; that the person will obtain additional training, education or supervision required by the board; and that the person will cooperate with the board.
448.02(3)(f)
(f) Unless a suspended license or certificate is revoked during the period of suspension, upon the expiration of the period of suspension the license or certificate shall again become operative and effective. However, the board may require the holder of any such suspended license or certificate to pass the examinations required for the original grant of the license or certificate before allowing such suspended license or certificate again to become operative and effective.
448.02(3)(g)
(g) The board shall comply with rules of procedure for the investigation, hearing and action promulgated under
ss. 440.03 (1) and
448.40.
448.02(3)(h)
(h) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the board, in its discretion, from investigating and conducting disciplinary proceedings on allegations of unprofessional conduct by persons holding a license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board when the allegations of unprofessional conduct may also constitute allegations of negligence in treatment.
448.02(4)
(4) Suspension pending hearing. The board may summarily suspend any license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board for a period not to exceed 30 days pending hearing, when the board has in its possession evidence establishing probable cause to believe that the holder of the license, certificate or limited permit has violated the provisions of this subchapter and that it is necessary to suspend the license, certificate or limited permit immediately to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The holder of the license, certificate or limited permit shall be granted an opportunity to be heard during the determination of probable cause. The board may designate any of its officers to exercise the authority granted by this subsection to suspend summarily a license, certificate or limited permit, but such suspension shall be for a period of time not to exceed 72 hours. If a license, certificate or limited permit has been summarily suspended by the board or any of its officers, the board may, while the hearing is in progress, extend the initial 30-day period of suspension for an additional 30 days. If the holder of the license, certificate or limited permit has caused a delay in the hearing process, the board may subsequently suspend the license, certificate or limited permit from the time the hearing is commenced until a final decision is issued or may delegate such authority to the hearing examiner.
448.02(5)
(5) Voluntary surrender. The holder of any license, certificate or limited permit granted by the board may voluntarily surrender the license, certificate or limited permit to the secretary of the board, but the secretary may refuse to accept the surrender if the board has received allegations of unprofessional conduct against the holder of the license, certificate or limited permit. The board may negotiate stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of licenses.
448.02(6)
(6) Restoration of license, certificate or limited permit. The board may restore any license, certificate or limited permit which has been voluntarily surrendered or revoked under any of the provisions of this subchapter, on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.
448.02(7)(a)(a) Within 30 days of receipt of a report under
s. 50.36 (3) (c), the board shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the substance of the report. The licensee and the licensee's authorized representative may examine the report and may place into the record a statement, of reasonable length, of the licensee's view of the correctness or relevance of any information in the report. The licensee may institute an action in circuit court to amend or expunge any part of the licensee's record related to the report.
448.02(7)(b)
(b) If the board determines that a report submitted under
s. 50.36 (3) (c) is without merit or that the licensee has sufficiently improved his or her conduct, the board shall remove the report from the licensee's record. If no report about a licensee is filed under
s. 50.36 (3) (c) for 2 consecutive years, the licensee may petition the board to remove any prior reports, which did not result in disciplinary action, from his or her record.
448.02(7)(c)
(c) Upon the request of a hospital, the board shall provide the hospital with all information relating to a licensee's loss, reduction or suspension of staff privileges from other hospitals and all information relating to the licensee's being found guilty of unprofessional conduct. In this paragraph, "hospital" has the meaning specified under
s. 50.33 (2).
448.02(8)(a)(a) After an investigation by the board under
sub. (3) (a) or by the department under
s. 440.03 (3m) or
(5), the board may issue a private and confidential administrative warning to a holder of a license, certificate or limited permit if the board determines that there is evidence of misconduct by him or her. The board may issue an administrative warning under this paragraph only if the board determines that no further action is warranted because the matter involves a first occurrence of minor misconduct and the issuance of an administrative warning adequately protects the public by putting the holder of the license, certificate or limited permit on notice that any subsequent misconduct may result in disciplinary action. The board shall review the determination if the holder of the license, certificate or limited permit makes a personal appearance before the board. Following the review, the board may affirm, rescind or modify the administrative warning. A holder of a license, certificate or limited permit may seek judicial review under
ch. 227 of an affirmation or modification of an administrative warning by the board.
448.02(8)(b)
(b) An administrative warning issued under
par. (a) does not constitute an adjudication of guilt or the imposition of discipline and may not be used as evidence that the holder of a license, certificate or limited permit is guilty of misconduct.
448.02(8)(c)
(c) Notwithstanding
par. (b), if the board receives a subsequent allegation of misconduct about a holder of a license, certificate or limited permit to whom the board issued an administrative warning under
par. (a), the board may reopen the matter that resulted in the issuance of the administrative warning or use the administrative warning in any subsequent disciplinary hearing under
sub. (3) (b) as evidence that he or she had actual knowledge that the misconduct that was the basis for the administrative warning was contrary to law.
448.02(8)(d)
(d) The record that an administrative warning was issued under
par. (a) shall be a public record. The contents of an administrative warning shall be private and confidential.
448.02(9)
(9) Judicial review. No injunction, temporary injunction, stay, restraining order or other order may be issued by a court in any proceeding for review that suspends or stays an order of the board to discipline a physician under
sub. (3) (c) or to suspend a physician's license under
sub. (4), except upon application to the court and a determination by the court that all of the following conditions are met:
448.02(9)(a)
(a) The board has received notice of the application and the court has provided advance notice to the board of the date of the court hearing on the application.
448.02(9)(b)
(b) There is a substantial likelihood that the applicant will prevail in the proceeding for review.
448.02(9)(c)
(c) The applicant will suffer irreparable harm if the order is not suspended or stayed.
448.02(9)(d)
(d) There is no substantial likelihood of harm to patients of the applicant if the board's order is suspended or stayed.
448.02 History
History: 1975 c. 383,
421;
1977 c. 418;
1981 c. 135,
375,
391;
1983 a. 188 s.
10;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (5);
1983 a. 253,
538;
1985 a. 29;
1985 a. 146 s.
8;
1985 a. 315,
332,
340;
1987 a. 27,
399,
403;
1989 a. 229;
1991 a. 186;
1993 a. 105,
107;
1995 a. 309;
1997 a. 67,
175,
191,
311; s. 13.93 (2) (c).
448.02 Annotation
Reading (3) (b) in conjunction with 227.46 (2), "hearing" for purposes of computing time period for decision includes taking of evidence and all subsequent proceedings. Sweet v. Medical Examining Board, 147 W (2d) 539, 433 NW (2d) 614 (Ct. App. 1988).
448.02 Annotation
There is a 5-prong test to guide the Board in determining whether a physician improperly treated a patient. The Board must provide written decision that separately identifies the 5 elements and discusses the evidence which relates to each element and provides details of why the evidence supports the Board's findings. Gimenez v. State Medical Examining Board, 203 W (2d) 349, 552 NW (2d) 863 (Ct. App. 1996).
448.02 Annotation
As used in this section, "negligence in treatment" means medical negligence, as defined by Wisconsin courts, which holds a doctor to the standard of reasonable care. The "reasonable physician" is not synonymous with the "average physician". Dept. of Regulation and Licensing v. Medical Examining Board, 215 W (2d) 187, 572 NW (2d) 508 (Ct. App. 1997).
448.02 Annotation
Wisconsin medical examining board does not deny due process by both investigating and adjudicating charge of professional misconduct. Withrow v. Larkin, 421 US 35.
448.03
448.03
License or certificate required to practice; use of titles; civil immunity; practice of Christian Science. 448.03(1)(a)(a) No person may practice medicine and surgery, or attempt to do so or make a representation as authorized to do so, without a license to practice medicine and surgery granted by the board.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) (a) is shown as renumbered and affected eff. 2-1-99 by two acts of the 1997 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c). Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(1) License required to practice. No person may practice medicine and surgery, or attempt to do so or make a representation as authorized to do so, without a license granted by the board.
448.03(1)(b)
(b) No person may practice as a physician assistant unless he or she is licensed by the board as a physician assistant.
448.03(1)(c)
(c) No person may practice podiatry, or attempt to do so or make a representation as authorized to do so, without a license to practice podiatry granted by the board.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (c) is created eff. 2-1-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 67.
1997 Wis. Act 175 moved the regulation of podiatrists to Subch. IV of ch. 448 without taking the treatment by Act 67 into account. See Subch. IV of ch. 448 for the regulation of podiatrists.
448.03(1m)
(1m) Certificate required to practice. No person may practice respiratory care, or attempt to do so or make a representation as authorized to do so, without a certificate as a respiratory care practitioner granted by the board.
448.03(2)
(2) Exceptions. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed either to prohibit, or to require, a license or certificate under this subchapter for any of the following:
448.03(2)(a)
(a) Any person lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit, registration, certificate or certification granted to practice professional or practical nursing or nurse-midwifery under
ch. 441, to practice chiropractic under
ch. 446, to practice dentistry or dental hygiene under
ch. 447, to practice optometry under
ch. 449, to practice acupuncture under
ch. 451 or under any other statutory provision, or as otherwise provided by statute.
448.03(2)(b)
(b) The performance of official duties by a physician of any of the armed services or federal health services of the United States.
448.03(2)(c)
(c) The activities of a medical student, respiratory care student or physician assistant student required for such student's education and training, or the activities of a medical school graduate required for training as required in
s. 448.05 (2).
448.03(2)(d)
(d) Actual consultation or demonstration by licensed physicians or certified respiratory care practitioners of other states or countries with licensed physicians or certified respiratory care practitioners of this state.
448.03(2)(e)
(e) Any person other than a physician assistant who is providing patient services as directed, supervised and inspected by a physician who has the power to direct, decide and oversee the implementation of the patient services rendered.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (e) is shown as affected eff. 2-1-99 by two acts of the 1997 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c). Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(e) Any person providing patient services as directed, supervised and inspected by a physician who has the power to direct, decide and oversee the implementation of the patient services rendered.
448.03(2)(h)
(h) The gratuitous domestic administration of family remedies.
448.03(2)(i)
(i) Any person furnishing medical assistance or first aid at the scene of an emergency.
448.03(2)(j)
(j) Any person assisting a respiratory care practitioner in practice under the direct, immediate, on-premises supervision of the respiratory care practitioner.
448.03(2)(k)
(k) Any persons other than physician assistants who assist physicians.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (k) is shown as amended and renumbered from 448.05 (5) (d) eff. 2-1-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 67.
448.03(3)(a)(a) No person may use or assume the title "doctor of medicine" or append to the person's name the letters "M.D." unless one of the following applies:
448.03(3)(a)1.
1. The person possesses the degree of doctor of medicine.
448.03(3)(a)2.
2. The person is licensed as a physician under this subchapter because the person satisfied the degree requirement of
s. 448.05 (2) by possessing a medical degree that was conferred by a medical school recognized and listed as such by the World Health Organization of the United Nations.
448.03(3)(b)
(b) No person not possessing the degree of doctor of osteopathy may use or assume the title "doctor of osteopathy" or append to the person's name the letters "D.O.".
448.03(3)(e)
(e) No person may designate himself or herself as a "physician assistant" or use or assume the title "physician assistant" or append to the person's name the words or letters "physician assistant" or "P.A." or any other titles, letters or designation which represents or may tend to represent the person as a physician assistant unless he or she is licensed as a physician assistant by the board.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (e) is shown as amended eff. 2-1-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 67. Prior to 2-1-99 it reads:
Effective date text
(e) No person may designate himself or herself as a "physician assistant" or use or assume the title "physician assistant" or append to the person's name the words or letters "physician assistant" or "P.A." or any other titles, letters or designation which represents or may tend to represent the person as a physician assistant unless certified as a physician assistant by the board.
448.03(3)(f)
(f) No person not an occupational therapist may designate himself or herself as an occupational therapist, claim to render occupational therapy services or use the abbreviation "O.T." or "O.T.R." after the person's name. This paragraph does not apply to:
448.03(3)(f)1.
1. Any person employed as an occupational therapist by a federal agency, as defined under
s. 59.57 (2) (c) 1., if the person provides occupational therapy solely under the direction or control of the federal agency by which he or she is employed.
448.03(3)(f)2.
2. Any person pursuing a supervised course of study, including internship, leading to a degree or certificate in occupational therapy under an accredited or approved educational program, if the person is designated by a title which clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.
448.03(3)(f)3.
3. Any person performing occupational therapy services in this state under a limited permit, as provided under
s. 448.04 (1) (h), if at least one of the following applies:
448.03(3)(f)3.a.
a. The person is licensed or certified as an occupational therapist under the law of another state which has licensure or certification requirements that are determined by the board to be at least as stringent as the requirements of this subchapter.
448.03(3)(f)3.b.
b. The person meets the requirements for certification as an occupational therapist, registered, established by the American occupational therapy certification board.
448.03(3)(g)
(g) No person not an occupational therapy assistant may describe himself or herself as an occupational therapy assistant or claim to render occupational therapy services as an occupational therapy assistant or use the abbreviation "O.T.A." or "C.O.T.A." after the person's name. This paragraph does not apply to:
448.03(3)(g)1.
1. Any person employed as an occupational therapy assistant by a federal agency, as defined under
s. 59.57 (2) (c) 1., if the person provides occupational therapy solely under the direction or control of the federal agency by which he or she is employed.
448.03(3)(g)2.
2. Any person pursuing a supervised course of study leading to a degree or certificate in occupational therapy assistantship under an approved educational program, if the person is designated by a title which clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.
448.03(3)(g)3.
3. Any person performing occupational therapy services in this state under a limited permit, as provided under
s. 448.04 (1) (h), if at least one of the following applies:
448.03(3)(g)3.a.
a. The person is licensed or certified as an occupational therapy assistant under the law of another state which has licensure or certification requirements that are determined by the board to be at least as stringent as the requirements of this subchapter.
