By: Carrie L. Jones

Question: Are hospitals required to report professional review action taken against Advanced Practice Providers (i.e., Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants) to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)?

Answer: No, professional review action against Advanced Practice Providers is not required to be reported but may be reported. Hospitals and other healthcare entities must report adverse clinical privileges actions to the NPDB that meet NPDB reporting criteria. Mandatory reporting includes any professional review action that adversely affects the clinical privileges of a physician or dentist for a period of more than 30 days or the acceptance of the surrender of clinical privileges, or any restriction of such privileges by a physician or dentist, 1) while the physician or dentist is under investigation by a healthcare entity relating to possible incompetence or improper professional conduct; or 2) in return for not conducting such an investigation or proceeding. Clinical privileges include privileges, medical staff membership, and other circumstances (e.g., network participation and panel membership) in which a physician, dentist, or other healthcare practitioner is permitted to furnish medical care by a healthcare entity.