Federal Officials Replace Management Team for U.S. Provider Database
Officials for the federal Health Resources and Services Administration have removed the management team overseeing the National Practitioner Data Bank after a ProPublica-Los Angeles Times investigation found that the database probably did not include records of thousands of disciplinary actions against health care providers, the Times reports.
Congress ordered the creation of the database more than 20 years ago to help alert hospitals to state disciplinary actions against nurses, therapists, pharmacists and other licensed health professionals. The system went online yesterday.
However, the database includes a warning that U.S. officials are "currently reviewing the completeness and accuracy of state licensure information."Â The caveat comes after a ProPublica review indicated that California and at least 19 other states did not adequately report disciplinary actions against licensed health care workers.
HRSAÂ Administrator Mary Wakefield accepted ProPublica's findings and has ordered an audit, offered technical help to states and asked governors for their assistance on the effort (Ornstein/Weber, Los Angeles Times, 3/2). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.