Australian health care standards have been enhanced with the publication of AS 5182, Vendor credentialing for healthcare facilities.
The goal of the standard is to ensure patient health, safety and confidentiality, and alignment with existing statutes applicable to health care industry representatives.
The new standard provides guidance to companies who need their staff to access certain areas of health care facilities in the most efficient way possible; and healthcare providers who manage vendors accessing restricted areas of facilities.
“The primary benefits from implementing the standard are that the health and safety of patients, residents and staff are appropriately safeguarded,” Standards Australia CEO Dr. Bronwyn Evans said.
Dr. Evans added that it is important to understand what credentialing means in the context of this standard.
“It means the process of establishing the qualifications of vendor representatives and assessing their background and legitimacy. In particular, making sure they have the appropriate immunizations, background, education, and training on the restricted areas they enter.”
AS 5182 has been published following Technical Committee HE-033—comprising representatives of the healthcare sectors in Australia and New Zealand—reaching consensus.
“The broad range of stakeholders on the Technical Committee which developed this standard is indicative of an industry-wide desire to provide safe and secure healthcare facilities with patient care consistently front of mind,” Chair of Technical Committee HE-033 Pat Callanan said.
“The dedication of this committee ensured the success of this standard in outlining an effective process for credentialing vendors while providing improved safety for patients and healthcare facilities.”