“How to leave outdated credentialing processes behind”
Between last year and the beginning of 2021, the healthcare industry has been challenged in numerous ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These challenges, however, have put the healthcare system under the spotlight. They highlight the hard work and dedication of frontline workers; yet also the areas for improvement that will require special attention.
Amongst these challenging areas, vendor credentialing continues to be one of the most cumbersome processes in healthcare. It often results in outdated, inefficient operations that prevent departments from focusing on providing the best possible quality of care.
In this article, we’ll focus on the digitalization of vendor credentialing. As well as how to get started and why healthcare facilities and healthcare service providers must prioritize it.
What is Vendor Credentialing?
Vendor credentialing is a key process for companies to ensure the vendors they partner with have the right training and background needed for the job. Facilities in industries like food processing, oil refinement, banking, and healthcare require vendor credentialing.
They have unique processes pertaining to each particular area of business. Due to the responsibility associated with these processes some organizations may even hire a credentialing company to take care of the credentialing program.
Related article: Taking a closer look at Vendor Management Systems and Automation solutions
In healthcare, vendor credentialing is especially important; as hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities need to be certain that vendors have rightful access to the facility.
Through this they make sure background checks and drug screens are done, and ensuring the safety of both workers and patients. You can learn more about healthcare provider credentialing here.
Challenges in the Healthcare Service Provider Industry
As important as the credentialing process is in healthcare, these operations can be inherently cumbersome. Given that they require large amounts of data and supporting documentation. Additional challenges that prevent streamlining credentialing include:
1– Lack of safety of physical documents containing sensitive data, leading to risky operations and lack of transparency.
2– Trouble keeping up with a large number of providers, increasing mistakes, and the potential for missing information.
3– Time consuming, manual tasks that make credentialing an error-prone activity.
4– Customer reliance on phone calls, emails, and in-person visits to solve problems due to a lack of digital processes.
5– Little to no accessibility to time sensitive data for healthcare credentialing representatives due to unorganized systems.
6– Costly compliance due to the high industry regulations in vendor credentialing requirements.
The lack of digitalization in the process is often the common denominator that leads to these challenges. Enter vendor credentialing automation.
Explore Virtus Flow features for Vendor Credentialing and Vendor Management
The Role of Automation in Vendor Credentialing
Healthcare service providers can eliminate most vendor credentialing problems by streamlining and automating the processes. Here are a few areas in which digitalization would come in handy:
+ Employee Verification
When verifying employment background, education, criminal history, and even Federal level searches, digitalization allows for secure vendor credentialing. Third-party software that allows you to perform a background check and legal reviews.
Discover Virtus Flow solution to automate HR processes
+ Supplier Representative/Visitor Data
With digital profiles, representatives can easily access a hospital vendor’s information. Such as date of hire, tier level, job title, badge photo, and other essential information for hospital access.
+ Compliance
Healthcare providers have to ensure that vendors comply with HIPAA rules and securely manage their data. The same applies to other highly regulated industries such as Financial Services and Insurance; all of which can benefit from digitalization.
CASE STUDY: Automation of Compliance & INFOSEC Control processes
+ Quote Requests
Once compliance has been sorted out, it’s important to manage the rest of the order journey. This journey includes quote requests and approvals steps before the order confirmation (OC). Digitalization can streamline the entire process and eliminate reliance on physical paperwork, which leads us to our next point.
+ Elimination of Paper Documents
By eliminating paper documents, healthcare providers not only free up space but also reduce the risk of missing files, spilled coffee, and employee mistakes. To go in-depth about using automation for document management read: What is Document Automation?
Virtus Flow module for Document Management
By not having a digital place to ensure the vendor’s credentials are compliant, a patient’s life or health can be compromised. Fortunately, with a mix of technology and integrated platforms, organizations like hospitals can reduce errors and improve their patient services.
Virtus Flow for Your Vendor Credentialing Needs
With Virtus Flow you can automate your credentialing process, saving up to 80% of your costs. We designed an integrated application that adapts to your every need.
Learn more about Virtus Flow innovative solutions for healthcare providers and related services.
