Complaints & Actions
The Washington Medical Commission is responsible for reviewing, investigating and disciplining physicians (MD) and physician assistants (PA) in Washington State. We receive thousands of complaints each year and each one is entered into our data base or forwarded to the disciplining authority with jurisdiction over that profession or facility.
The Medical Commission only takes action if there has been a violation of state law (the Uniform Disciplinary Act). Some examples of violations are gross or repeated acts of negligence, conviction of certain crimes, boundary violations or other ethical violations. Each complaint goes through an initial review process. Complaints that do not indicate a violation of state law are closed with no further action.
The decision to authorize an investigation or close a complaint is determined by a panel of Medical Commissioners. Likewise, disciplinary action taken against a licensee is determined by a panel of commissioners.
