This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Waters, T. M. Articles by Budetti, P. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Waters, T. M. Articles by Budetti, P. P. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Role of the National Practitioner Data Bank in the Credentialing Process

Department of Preventive Medicine and Office of Community Affairs, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis; Center for Health Services Research, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline, Suite 463, Memphis, TN 38163 twaters{at}utmem.edu

Richard B. Warnecke, PhD

Program in Cancer Control and Population Science, University of Illinois at Chicago Cancer Center

Jennifer Parsons, MA

Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago

Orit Almagor, MA

Institute for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Peter P. Budetti, MA, JD

Department of Health Administration and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City

Federal law requires hospitals and permits other entities to seek information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) but places no requirements on how that information should be used. Our survey of NPDB users demonstrates that although the NPDB has generated substantial controversy and its information is nominally available from other sources, it still plays an important role in the credentialing process. Most institutions make timely NPDB inquiries that facilitate widespread use of the information in credentialing activities (4-5 individuals or committees). However, in 3% to 7% of cases, a decision was reached before the institution had the NPDB report. Between 5% and 30% of privileging and licensure applications involving an NPDB report were not granted "as requested," suggesting the NPDB data are important to the process. Unfortunately, underreporting was also evident: 60% to 75% of reportable actions were not reported, limiting the information to which health care entities have access.

Key Words: National Practitioner Data Bank • NPDB • hospital reporting • quality improvement • credentialing

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R M Galbraith, M C Holtman, and S G Clyman Use of assessment to reinforce patient safety as a habit Qual. Saf. Health Care, December 1, 2006; 15(suppl_1): i30 - i33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]