[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 36997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15802]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Notice of Publication of the Revised Guidebook for the National 
Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) announces the 
release of the revised user Guidebook. The NPDB is a confidential 
information clearinghouse created by Congress and intended to 
facilitate a comprehensive review of the professional credentials of 
health care practitioners, entities, and suppliers. The Guidebook is 
the primary policy document explaining the statutes and regulations 
behind and operation of the NPDB. It serves as an essential reference 
for NPDB users, offering reporting and querying examples, explanations, 
definitions, and frequently asked questions. The new Guidebook 
incorporates legislative and regulatory changes adopted since its last 
edition, including the NPDB's merger with the Healthcare Integrity and 
Protection Data Bank.
    In November 2013, the Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) released a draft Guidebook to the public for review and comment 
by NPDB stakeholders and other interested parties. It announced the 
draft Guidebook's availability in the Federal Register. HRSA received 
more than 360 separate comments, consisting of analyses of issues 
raised by the draft Guidebook. The NPDB carefully studied all comments 
received, and many led to detailed analyses of how NPDB explains its 
policies to its audiences. The final Guidebook is now available at 
www.npdb.hrsa.gov and replaces previous Guidebooks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernia P. Hughes, MBA, Director of the 
Division of Practitioner Data Bank, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health 
Resources and Services Administration at: [email protected] or 301-
443-2300.

    Dated: June 18, 2015.
James Macrae,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-15802 Filed 6-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-15-P