The National Practitioner Data Bank

Authors:
  • FMFitzhugh Mullan
    Fitzhugh Mullan
  • RPRobert M. Politzer
    Robert M. Politzer
  • CLCaroline T. Lewis
    Caroline T. Lewis
  • SBStanford Bastacky
    Stanford Bastacky
  • JRJohn Rodak
    John Rodak
  • RHRobert G. Harmon
    Robert G. Harmon
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Abstract
MEDICAL incompetence is a twofold problem for this nation's citizens. It subjects patients to unwarranted risks and poor outcomes, and it contributes to higher payments for health care owing to increased liability awards and premiums with the consequent practice of "defensive" medicine.1-3In addition, it interferes with the availability of necessary medical services.4-6Currently, these issues are being discussed as part of the debate surrounding reform of the health care system in the United States. The Health Care Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) of 1986, however, established a legal base and a national reporting system intended to improve the ability of the health professions to police themselves.7The act's principal program, the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), is designed to collect comprehensive data on adverse actions taken against and malpractice payments made on behalf of practitioners and make them available to credentialing authorities. The NPDB opened on September

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