APA Dictionary of Psychology

a computerized database, established through Title IV of Public Law 99-660 (the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986) and maintained and operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that contains information on physicians and other health care professionals against whom malpractice claims have been paid or certain disciplinary actions taken. The database is primarily an alert or flagging system intended to facilitate a comprehensive review of health care practitioners’ professional credentials.