For Nurses, Physicians, Other Florida Healthcare Providers, Orders Compelling Exam Can Be Unfair — But They’re Not Unbeatable

Our Florida healthcare regulatory and licensing attorneys have a reputation for successfully defending and restoring professional licenses for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are suspected of impairment. But our lawyers have noticed a surging trend as of late: the Florida Department of Health issuing orders compelling exam.

Because orders compelling exam come straight from the DOH, it’s something for which nurses and other healthcare professionals really don’t have a choice; they must see an evaluator who will determine fitness to practice. And the outcomes are often unfair, as evaluators can simply say probable cause — not mental health or substance abuse factors — is the basis for mandatory monitoring and IPN (Intervention Project for Nurses) or PRN (Professionals Resource Network).

Being in IPN or PRN means high out-of-pocket expenses and total compliance. Failure to comply will result in a disciplinary action against the practitioner’s license. Yet, the nurse, physician, or other healthcare provider might not have needed to be in the program in the first place.

What’s the best way for a nurse or physician to face orders compelling exam? As Sara Bazzigaluppi of Chapman Law Group’s Sarasota office explains, it’s having legal representation and medical experts such as toxicologists from the get-go. Our latest video sheds light on why.