NPDB: The Creation Of Database For Nurses

The NPDB was created by the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to collect and publish information about physicians, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners to prevent incompetent practitioners from moving from one medical facility to another without disclosure of previously damaging performance, and to promote professional peer review activities. The ultimate goal of the database is to improve patient safety and quality of care (npdb.com).
The creation of database compels malpractice insurers, licensing agencies, HMOs, hospitals and group practices to report malpractice payments and any adverse action affecting medical professionals. The database is achieving its purpose as the 2011 annual report showed that medical malpractice payments declining steadily from 2002 to 2011. The database also makes it easier for authorized agencies, government agencies, hospitals, and medical associations to access information before hiring an individual and before licensing or renewing licensure. This ensures that only diligent and qualified professionals are entrusted with patients’ healthcare.
The numbers of malpractice payment involving physicians and dentists decreased by 40% during the same period. The statistics also showed a small increase in the number of adverse action reports filed relating to physicians and dentists. There was a 32% increase in the number of reports filed attributed to nurses; with the largest increase reported between 2009 to 2011 possible due to the implementation of section 1921. The number of adverse action reports filed for other medical practitioners increased by 84% between 2002 and