Why Healthcare Facilities Need Vendor Credential Systems by Nick Messe

Healthcare vendor credentialing is becoming more critical with the increased responsibility that hospitals and other healthcare centers carry. These facilities must know at any given time who provides specific services and who currently is in the facility. With the rise of pandemic regulations and the desire to be sure patients receive the best care, vendor management and credentialing must be a focus for every hospital administration. The sheer volume of the vending sources required to effectively run a hospital quickly overwhelms anyone considering implementation of such as system.

Developing a software system through the hospital IT department often leads to complex questions, long delays, and frustration between IT and administration. There are options already on the market that will quickly bring any hospital or healthcare center into compliance. This can happen with no charge to the hospital. Hospital vendor management and credentialing has never been easier.

Before considering specific companies, a definition of such a service needs to be provided. A hospital vendor credential management system provides the necessary tools to assess vendor credentials and track vendor entrance and exit to the healthcare facility. It provides a base through which all vendors receive credentialing and necessary identification. Centralization of this information removes pressure from hospital administration to credential individual vendors and provides the necessary tools for access.

Individual practices create confusion and an abundance of needless paperwork. However, signing up with a hospital vendor management company gives the hospital a central place to send their vendors for credentialing. The credentialing agency also handles all the documentation necessary for maintaining current and accurate records. Securing a management company gives the administration peace of mind knowing that all vendors carry current credentials, accurate identification, and all entrance and exits are electronically logged.

Anytime questions arise regarding as to who is in the healthcare facility or who was in the facility at a particular time, that critical information can be easily obtained through the web-based technology. This system effectively plugs many security holes, ensuring that only those qualified to be in the facility at certain times and performing certain duties are present. Tracking this information is especially critical when dealing with vendors delivering various drugs and other important resources to the hospital or healthcare center. One large heathcare vendor credentialing system allows both providers and suppliers the ability to carry on with their main responsibilities and keep from being overwhelmed with excessive paper work and compliance issues.

Web-based hospital vendor management can be set up within a few minutes, once the proper framework is established. Special computers and software are not necessary. A few computers off the shelf at a local appliance store, some scanners, and a label printing machine constitute the only equipment needed by the hospital. Badges are printed for all the vendors and scanned upon entry and exit.

The actual software set up can be done in less that five minutes. Vendors that sign up with a central hospital vendor credentialing system receive access to all hospitals for one flat fee. If vendor supplies only one hospital, a base membership at no charge is available. The centrality of such a system allows cost to the vendor to remain low, thus keeping vendors from passing rising costs to hospitals.