RS 37:1745.12: Legislative findings; purpose

A. The legislature finds that:

(1) Public confidence in high quality patient care is dependent on a workforce of competent health care professionals who meet the high standards of professional practice.

(2) Impaired health care professionals represent a threat to the public.

(3) State law does not currently require health care entities to report impaired health care professionals to professional licensing boards.

(4) An important function of professional licensing boards is to protect the public, who is at risk of receiving unsafe or inadequate care, from health care providers who are or may be impaired.

(5) It is the public policy of this state to require that health care entities timely report adverse action against health care professionals for impairment or possible impairment to professional licensing boards.

B. The purpose of this Part is to require reporting of certain actions taken by health care entities in response to a determination of impairment or possible impairment to the appropriate professional licensing board.