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. …show more content…
Statistics relating to malpractice payments between 2002 and 2011 showed an overall decrease in the number of malpractice payments relating to all practitioners.
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
2010.
The vast differences in statistics from state to state can be attributed to additional payments made to patients out of state funds and some states have not started reporting fully to the HRSA i.e. some states are not compliant.
“Professional nurses” which includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners, and doctors of nursing practice are more vulnerable to malpractice lawsuits.
References:
Larywon, K., & Milch, S. (2012, October 18). The National Practitioner Data Bank: What Every Physician Needs to Know [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.mdnews.com/news/2012_10/the-national-practitioner-data-bank-what-every-physician-needs-to-know.aspx
National Practitioner Data Bank 2011 Annual Report. (2013). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration website: http://www.npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov/resources/reports/2011NPDBAnnualReport.pdf