Florida healthcare licensing investigations may involve subpoenas or other demands for records and testimony. Section 456.071, Florida Statutes, addresses the Department’s authority to administer oaths, take depositions and issue subpoenas in matters within its jurisdiction.
Start with the scope of the demand
The first questions are what the subpoena requires, whose records are sought, the time period involved, the production deadline, and whether confidentiality, privilege, patient-record, or other legal issues affect the response.
A subpoena is part of the evidence-gathering process
Records produced during an investigation may be used to evaluate the complaint and determine whether formal disciplinary proceedings should follow. Production should therefore be accurate, organized and responsive to the actual demand.
Do not assume every records issue is identical
Patient records, employment materials, communications, business records and personal documents can raise different legal considerations. The language of the particular subpoena and governing law control.
See Licensing Investigations for the broader process.