Only 36 percent of hospitals in Texas have reported a physician to HHS' National Practitioner Data Bank, meant to track healthcare professionals who do not meet professional standards, reports ABC affiliate WFAA.
WFAA reviewed reports submitted to the database from 1990 to the present. The publication found that only 238 of the 662 hospitals in Texas have ever reported a physician who's had clinical privileges revoked or restricted due to medical competence or inappropriate conduct. The same trend was seen nationwide, with about half of the nation's hospitals ever reporting a physician.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the databank, can contact hospitals to inquire about potential nonreporting issues.
"This contact typically leads to either the hospital explaining that the action it took (if any) does not meet NPDB reporting requirements, or the hospital submitting the missing report," David Bowman, a spokesperson for HRSA, told WFAA.
However, HRSA does not have authority to fine hospitals for nonreporting. The department can only impose sanctions after a "formal investigation" occurs, Mr. Bowman said.
To view the full report, click here.