National Practitioner Data Bank

Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank

1. How do I know if my adverse action narrative description is factually sufficient to meet the statutory reporting requirements?

   To meet the statutory reporting requirements, the description must have enough detailed information so that a knowledgeable reviewer can determine clearly the circumstances of the action or surrender. In other words, you must provide a clear understanding of what the practitioner, provider, or supplier is alleged to have done and the nature and reasons for the action taken. Merely repeating the adverse action or basis for action code is not factually sufficient. Do not reference personal identifying information about patients, other healthcare practitioners, plaintiffs, and/or witnesses (e.g., names). The narrative may be up to 4,000 characters in length. Examples of factually sufficient narratives are available on the Fact Sheet on Submitting A Factually Sufficient Narrative Description. (Also in Reporting FAQ.)
   

2. How do I make changes to a narrative description after I have submitted the report?

   To change a narrative description in a report, submit a correction to that report. A correction is a change to the report resulting from the discovery of an error or omission in an Initial Report. Please do not submit a Revision-to-Action Report or a Void Report. A Revision-to-Action Report is submitted to communicate a subsequent action that modifies an adverse action previously reported to the Data Bank(s). A Void Report should be done only if it the action was erroneously submitted, if it was not a reportable action, or the action was overturned on appeal.

   Finally, when submitting any report to the Data Bank(s), please remember that you are required to provide a narrative description with enough detailed information so that a knowledgeable reviewer can determine clearly the circumstances of the action or surrender. Do not reference personal identifying information about patients, other health care practitioners, plaintiffs, and/or witnesses (e.g., names). Examples of factually sufficient narratives are available on the Fact Sheet on Submitting A Factually Sufficient Narrative Description. (Also in Reporting FAQ.)