Information On Hawaii Doctors Who Commit Medical Malpractice Less Available
In a move which makes information concerning adverse actions against doctors less available, as of September 1, the National Practitioner Data Base (NPDB) has removed the public use option of the information from the website. The NPDB provides information regarding doctors practicing in Hawaii and throughout the United States regarding medical malpractice actions and license revocations and suspensions. Previously, hospitals and other health care providers could log into the data bank for information concern a particular physician to determine whether the doctor has ever had his or her licensed revoked or suspended, or whether the doctor has been involved in medical malpractice settlement. Medical malpractice may include such actions as failure to diagnose, anesthesia errors and emergency room errors.
Additionally the public use file provides valuable information to the public, including reporters and researchers regarding the oversight of doctors, trends in disciplinary actions and medical malpractice awards. The public has used this information to help lead to better patient protection. The public aspect has just been removed so that the public cannot determine the specific identity of physicians.
Many healthcare journalists used this data bank in order to expose deficiencies in state discipline of doctors found liable for medical negligence and help to improve patient safety. In fact, the public was able to determine a Missouri doctor continued to practice in Hawaii despite committing medical negligence in two other states.
As stated by the Association of Health Care Journalists “We remain troubled that it appears [Health and Human Services] is more interested in protecting doctors accused of harming patients than protecting the patients themselves.”
The public function was a crucial aspect in the fight against medical malpractice. Representatives of HHS state that they removed the public function in order to provide more physician confidentiality.
As Hawaii medical malpractice attorneys concerned about patient safety, we are hopeful that this information will soon become available to help expose doctors responsible for medical errors and medical malpractice.
For more information or if you believe you or a loved one may have been harm by medical negligence, please contact the knowledgeable Hawaii medical malpractice lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for a confidential consultation.
