Research

Administrative History

The Department of Health (DOH) Investigations Unit conducts investigations at the direction of the General Counsel or the Commissioner of Health. The unit has authority to investigate any employee, official, program, or activity under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner. Investigations include DOH employees and programs, other State agencies, local government programs, public and private health care facilities, physicians and other health care providers, health programs on State Indian reservations, and private individuals and organizations that come under the Commissioner's jurisdiction. The Investigations Unit conducts only a small percentage of all DOH investigations. It generally gathers background information for the Commissioner on cases that are controversial, delicate, or unusual. Information gathered during the investigations is used as the basis for direct actions by the Commissioner, including referrals to the courts or other disciplinary procedures; and to formulate changes in policy.