Hidden Threats in Vendor Access Programs

1. Register Log In THOUGHT LEADERSHIP October 11, 2024 Hidden Threats in Vendor Access Program | Remediation Strategies  With accreditors and administrators insisting on more stringent access controls, healthcare providers must ensure that their indirect partners are demonstrating the same level of compliance  as their full-time employees - especially when it comes to  immunizations, drug screenings, and background checks. And yet all non-employee credentials are typically vetted by their employer, not the healthcare providers themselves. While the ANSI standard provides a foundational framework for vendor credentialing, it's essential to recognize that there are challenges to how those standards are applied. To ensure optimal

2. security and compliance, healthcare administrators must develop and enforce stringent acceptance criteria tailored to their speci?c needs.  A signi?cant oversight in many vendor credentialing programs is the reliance on letters of attestation. The acceptance criteria for background checks in the construction industry are often determined by individual suppliers, leading to inconsistencies and variations across different vendors. This issue is further exacerbated by the complex relationship between contractors and subcontractors, which can introduce additional layers of complexity and vulnerability.  These written submissions from vendor partners often lack the necessary rigor and  veri?cation to guarantee the safety and reliability of the individuals they send to your facility. “The challenge with attestations is there is no real way to verify them,” says Mickey Meehan,  CEO of Green Security. “Relying solely on letters of attestation from suppliers to authenticate  the quali?cations of their personnel poses a very real risk to hospitals. By creating paths to  authenticate supplier credentials, providers can enforce compliance.” What are the risks? Relying on letters of attestation for vendor veri?cation can lead to severe patient safety,  ?nancial, and operational risks, including:  Patient Safety  Legal and Financial   Operational  Increased infection risk: Lack of veri?ed immunization  records can expose patients  to preventable diseases. Liability: Hospitals could be held liable for incidents caused by unquali?ed or negligent contractors. Disruptions in service:  Unreliable or underquali?ed contractors can hinder hospital operations and patient care.  Compromised patient care:  Unquali?ed or untrained staff  may provide suboptimal care,  leading to adverse patient  outcomes.  Financial loss: Fraudulent activities, such as overbilling or theft, can occur if vendor employees are not properly vetted. Reputational damage:  Negative publicity due to patient safety incidents or data breaches can harm the hospital's image.  Regulatory non-compliance: Failure to adhere to strict patient  safety and privacy regulations can result in hefty ?nes and penalties. Data breaches: Employees without HIPAA training may inadvertently disclose sensitive patient information. Protecting Your Facility: Beyond the Letter To mitigate risks associated with vendor attestation, hospitals must ?nd a way to substantiate  claims. This includes direct veri?cation with HR departments, comprehensive background 

3. checks, and ongoing compliance monitoring.  “For us, it’s a matter of compliance enforcement and risk aversion,” shares a Supply Chain  Director of a health system in the mid-west “There is a need to hold persons entering NICU,  operating rooms, and patient rooms alike to the same standard we do our full-time employees.  That’s where Green Security comes in to support our safety and compliance efforts.” Green Security adopts a more rigorous and comprehensive strategy, completely removing the dependency on letters of attestation, which often lack the necessary veri?cation. Instead, we implement mandatory annual background checks, ensuring that healthcare administrators are equipped with the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding all third-party personnel, including sub-contractors. This proactive approach not only enhances the reliability of the credentialing process but also forti?es the overall security framework within healthcare facilities. By doing so, we empower healthcare providers to maintain a higher standard of safety and compliance, ultimately safeguarding both patients and staff from potential risks associated with unveri?ed personnel. With improved oversight, your Vendor Access, Credentialing and Compliance program will signi?cantly enhance patient safety, protect ?nancial interests, and preserve their reputation. Other interesting posts

4. NEWS October 15, 2024 Anna Ormiston | Vice President of Customer Success Ormiston brings extensive experience in customer success, service, and healthcare operations THOUGHT LEADERSHIP March 18, 2025 The Role of Contractors in Hospital Credentialing Programs In the intricate and tightly regulated realm of healthcare, vendor credentialing stands as a...

5. CASE STUDY October 11, 2024 Vendor credentialing ef?ciency | Southern Healthcare Network A leading healthcare system was confronted with signi?cant challenges in its current vendor... Menu Home Contact Capabilities Resources Use Cases Privacy Policy Providers Terms & Conditions Vendors Trust Center Contact Us (866) 750-3373 (Vendor Support)           (866) 912-5207 (Health System Support) support@gogreensecurity.com

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