HRSA has launched a new interactive web-based training program to help National Practitioner Data Bank users better understand requirements for reporting disciplinary actions taken against physicians, dentists and other health care practitioners.

State licensing boards, hospitals and other health care entities will use the new resource, called the “NPDB Interactive Training and Education Program.”

The training program answers health care practitioners’ most frequently asked questions, explains the reporting process, and tests users’ ability to apply NPDB reporting requirements and policies to their agencies.  The program uses animation and interactive flow charts to show the step-by-step process for submitting, changing and disputing reports.  In addition, an interactive quiz, which describes more than 50 situations, challenges test-takers to determine which actions must be reported.

The data bank is a national collection system designed to improve health care quality by requiring state licensing boards, hospitals, professional societies and other health care entities to identify and discipline health care providers who engage in unprofessional behavior.  Eligible health care entities can use the NPDB information when making decisions on health care practitioner clinical privileges, licensure, employment or affiliation. The availability of this information also restricts the ability of incompetent physicians, dentists and other health care practitioners to move from state to state without discovery of previous medical malpractice payments and disciplinary actions.

The NPDB was established by the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and is managed by HRSA’s Bureau of Health Professions.

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