MedStar health vendor access program: one system's story

Sales or service calls by vendor representatives were identified as a potential patient safety issue in a Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, DC, hospital system. A vendor badging program, which requires vendor representatives to provide a background check, documentation of substance abuse testing, health information, and proof of education was implemented after nine months of investigation and planning. Three levels of badges were created. The level of the badge indicates whether the vendor representative has access to non-patient care areas only; patient care areas; or restricted patient care (ie, sterile) areas.