What is the Disciplinary Action Notification System (DANS) and how can it affect my board certification status?

What is the Disciplinary Action Notification System (DANS) and how can it affect my board certification status?

The Federation of State Medical Boards monitors adverse actions taken by state medical boards against the license of a diplomate and notifies the ABD of adverse actions via the Disciplinary Action Notification Systems (DANS). Upon receipt, the ABD contacts the diplomate to learn his/her description of events. Each case is then discussed at length by the ABD's Certificate Review Committee. The majority of cases require no action relating to the diplomate's certification. However, when a state license is suspended or revoked, the committee will usually act in parallel fashion, suspending or revoking certification by the ABD. We believe it is important that physicians take responsibility for reviewing the professional actions of their colleagues, to help assure that patients are safe and receive the best possible care.