PURPOSE OF THE PANEL AND EFFECT ON COURT ACTION

(a) Purpose of the Panel. The purpose of the Panel is to prevent, where possible, the filing in court of actions against health care providers and their employees for professional liability in situations where the facts do not permit at least a reasonable inference of malpractice and to make possible the fair and equitable disposition of such claims against health care providers as are or reasonably may be well founded. (b) No court action before Application to and Decision by Panel. No malpractice claim may be filed in any court against a health care provider before an Application is made to the Panel and its decision is rendered.