SPOTLIGHT: Case highlights issues in reporting physician misdeeds

In theory, hospitals are required to report problem doctors to the National Practitioner Data Bank--a requirement that sounds straightforward enough. In practice, however, hospitals struggle with this requirement, as doctors can actually sue them for making such reports. Right now, for example, Georgetown University Hospital is facing just such a dilemma: After rejecting a physician's application for privileges and reporting him to the NPDB, he's suing. Article