Report I2020-0027 All Recommendation Responses
Report I2020-0027: Board of Registered Nursing: Executives Violated State Law When They Falsified Data to Deceive the State Auditor's Office (Release Date: June 2020)
Case Number I2020-0027
Recommendation #1 To: Registered Nursing, Board of
Within 90 days, BRN should take appropriate corrective action against Executives B and C, and consider placing a notice of the investigation in Executive A's personnel file, as that individual has left BRN.
Agency Response From September 2020
In September 2020, BRN reported that it served notices of dismissal to Executives B and C.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From August 2020
BRN reported that it has placed a notice of the investigation in Executive A's personnel file. It also stated that DCA's Division of Investigation is investigating the findings in our report. The investigation is in its final review, and BRN is working with DCA regarding the appropriate next steps.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2020-0027
Recommendation #2 To: Registered Nursing, Board of
Within 30 days, BRN should reassess investigator caseloads and determine the maximum number of cases that investigators should be assigned based on clear criteria.
Agency Response From September 2020
BRN reported that it developed and implemented a policy that clearly outlines that investigators should be assigned no more than 30 cases (12 cases for retired annuitants). The policy clarifies that cases that begin as one case and then split into "companion cases" are counted as one case. Further, the policy provides four alternatives for reducing a caseload when an investigator reaches the maximum number of cases.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From August 2020
BRN explained the various reasons why it needs flexibility in assigning cases and why caseloads may fluctuate. It also noted that a maximum caseload of 20 cases per investigator was not an official BRN policy or requirement, although it may have been a goal. BRN stated that based on a number of factors, it determined that a caseload of between 20 and 30 cases per investigator is appropriate.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2020-0027
Recommendation #3 To: Registered Nursing, Board of
Within 90 days, BRN should work with the audit team to develop a satisfactory approach for fully implementing the 2016 audit recommendation.
Agency Response From June 2021
BNR reported that it is working with the audit team and providing data as requested so the audit team can evaluate BRN's progress on the 2016 audit recommendation. As BRN has demonstrated a good-faith effort to work with the audit team to develop a satisfactory approach for fully implementing the 2016 audit recommendation, we deem this recommendation fully implemented.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From February 2021
BRN reported that it submitted its annual response to the audit team in December 2020. It is currently awaiting feedback from the audit team on whether BRN has demonstrated that it fully implemented the 2016 audit recommendation.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From November 2020
BRN reported that it has been working with the audit team to demonstrate full compliance with the 2016 audit recommendation. BRN stated that it plans to submit its annual response to the 2016 audit recommendation to the audit team by December 2020.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From August 2020
BRN stated that it reassessed its investigator caseloads and, with input from the audit team, plans to develop a satisfactory approach for fully implementing the 2016 audit recommendation.