Physician National Practitioner Data Bank

The National Practitioner Data Bank was established by Title IV of Public Law 99-660, The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986.  It serves as a clearinghouse, collecting and releasing information related to the professional competence and conduct of physicians and dentists throughout the nation.  The Data Bank was established largely in response to a nationwide increase in medical malpractice cases, as well as to improve the quality of medical care in this country.  Additionally, the Data Bank will serve to prevent incompetent practitioners from not disclosing previously inadequate performance when they attempt to set up practice in another state.  The Act will also protect the public from incompetent physicians by providing physicians and dentists who perform good faith peer reviews from liability for private money damages.  As part of the application process, this office has determined to access the Data Bank in reference to each physician and dentist who has submitted an application for licensure in Connecticut.