Understanding the Legal Implications of the Hospital Vendor Credentialing Process

Lax Vendor Credentialing Can Expose Healthcare Facilities to Legal Risks

Although vendors rarely come into direct contact with patients, healthcare facilities that lack a rigorous vendor credentialing process—such as one supported by the C4UHC—can be vulnerable to legal action according to a recent blog post from IntelliCentrics, a provider of digital credentialing solutions.

Vendors are crucial to any healthcare facility, providing essential supplies such as medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, janitorial products, and food. But if an unqualified vendor gains access to sensitive locations or enters the facility without an adequate COVID screening, the facility can become liable for risking patient safety.

From the vendors’ perspective, they dislike repeatedly providing large amounts of personal, sensitive information to obtain credentials for fear of data loss due to security breaches. The article advises that standardizing the credentialing process helps alleviate vendor concerns by explaining exactly what information is needed for specific regulatory standards and why. A uniform system that treats vendors equally and transparently can also help reduce their concerns and builds trust in the necessity of vendor credentialing requirements.

Improving vendor credentialing benefits all parties, the story continues:

“Vendors can enter facilities with confidence they won’t run into compliance delays or be refused entry. Providers and staff can quickly identify vendors whether they are allowed in restricted facility areas. At the same time, patients benefit from the streamlined delivery of vendor products in a safe and timely manner.”

Read more of this enlightening IntelliCentrics article by clicking this link.

About C4UHC

The mission of the Consortium for Universal Healthcare Credentialing, Inc. (C4UHC), a 501 (c)(6) tax-exempt corporation, is to promote the common business interests of organizations connected with the healthcare industry in order to advance American National Standards for a streamlined healthcare credentialing process. This will protect patient safety and confidentiality, eliminate duplicative efforts and costs, and meet the needs of both healthcare providers and suppliers.

Contact

info@c4uhc.org