1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, any person may file with the Board a complaint against a physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care on a form provided by the Board. The form may be submitted in writing or electronically. If a complaint is submitted anonymously, the Board may accept the complaint but may refuse to consider the complaint if the lack of the identity of the complainant makes processing the complaint impossible or unfair to the person who is the subject of the complaint.

2. Any licensee, medical school or medical facility that becomes aware that a person practicing medicine, perfusion or respiratory care in this State has, is or is about to become engaged in conduct which constitutes grounds for initiating disciplinary action shall file a written complaint with the Board within 30 days after becoming aware of the conduct.

3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, any hospital, clinic or other medical facility licensed in this State, or medical society, shall report to the Board any change in the privileges of a physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care to practice while the physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care is under investigation and the outcome of any disciplinary action taken by that facility or society against the physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care concerning the care of a patient or the competency of the physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care within 30 days after the change in privileges is made or disciplinary action is taken.

4. A hospital, clinic or other medical facility licensed in this State, or medical society, shall report to the Board within 5 days after a change in the privileges of a physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care to practice that is based on:

(a) An investigation of the mental, medical or psychological competency of the physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care; or

(b) Suspected or alleged substance abuse in any form by the physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care.

5. The Board shall report any failure to comply with subsection 3 or 4 by a hospital, clinic or other medical facility licensed in this State to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. If, after a hearing, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health determines that any such facility or society failed to comply with the requirements of subsection 3 or 4, the Division may impose an administrative fine of not more than $10,000 against the facility or society for each such failure to report. If the administrative fine is not paid when due, the fine must be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the Division.

6. The clerk of every court shall report to the Board any finding, judgment or other determination of the court that a physician, perfusionist, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care:

(a) Is mentally ill;

(b) Is mentally incompetent;

(c) Has been convicted of a felony or any law governing controlled substances or dangerous drugs;

(d) Is guilty of abuse or fraud under any state or federal program providing medical assistance; or

(e) Is liable for damages for malpractice or negligence,

within 45 days after such a finding, judgment or determination is made.

7. The Board shall retain all complaints filed with the Board pursuant to this section for at least 10 years, including, without limitation, any complaints not acted upon.

(Added to NRS by 1977, 824; A 1985, 2239; 2001, 768; 2002 Special Session, 20; 2009, 880, 2964; 2011, 2862; 2015, 2775)