Which organization is the only one required to query the NPDB?

Which organization is the only one required to query the NPDB?

• A. Hospitals
• B. Clinics
• C. Medical schools
• D. Individual practitioners

Answer: (A)

The NPDB is used by organizations that credential or privilege physicians to gather information about adverse actions, sanctions, and malpractice payments involving practitioners. Hospitals are required under the Health Care Quality Improvement Act to query the NPDB as part of credentialing or privileging decisions before granting or renewing privileges. Clinics, medical schools, and individual practitioners are not mandated to perform NPDB queries by this federal framework. Therefore, hospitals are the only type of organization routinely required to query the NPDB.

The NPDB is used by organizations that credential or privilege physicians to gather information about adverse actions, sanctions, and malpractice payments involving practitioners. Hospitals are required under the Health Care Quality Improvement Act to query the NPDB as part of credentialing or privileging decisions before granting or renewing privileges. Clinics, medical schools, and individual practitioners are not mandated to perform NPDB queries by this federal framework. Therefore, hospitals are the only type of organization routinely required to query the NPDB.