Adoption and implementation of GS1 BarCodes and GS1 EPCglobal
Automatic identification systems (bar code or RFID) can have a very wide range of applications, including point-of-care scanning to match product data to patient data, verification of patient identity via a wristband, enabling the introduction of robotic dispensing systems, recording implant serial numbers in patient records and central registries, tracking and tracing of individual instruments through decontamination, stock control and supplies management, tracking assets throughout a network of facilities, …
All these applications and systems enable the realisation of associated health and economic benefits: reducing medication errors, preventing counterfeiting, saving costs and increasing the Healthcare supply chain efficiency and transparency.
Numerous studies have shown that automatic identification throughout the entire Healthcare supply chain, right to the point of delivery to the patient, is an extremely effective tool in preventing medication errors.
However, global standards are needed for an effective and efficient roll-out of automatic identification systems in the Healthcare sector.
Case studies bar codes:
- Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston (USA): the introduction of a bar code point-of-care system resulted in a reduction of medication error rate by 55%
View presentation - Gerle Ziekenhuizen, Maastricht (Netherlands): the introduction of a bar code point-of-care system resulted in a reduction of 74% in administration errors (from 3.10% to 0.84%)
View presentation - Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust (UK): the introduction of a robotic dispensing system resulted in a reduction of dispensing errors by 67% from 2.7% to 0.9% of prescriptions
More information. - ResMed (Australia) is helping the medical world tackle a potentially fatal disorder with a range of innovative products. Its manufacturing and marketing processes are underpinned by a robust global supply chain and the GS1 standards.
More information - Bad Krozingen Hospital (Germany) found that the introduction of standardised bar coding saved a significant 78% in documenting consumed materials, and has also seen that efficient, accurate DRG calculation is only possible when data is automatically entered by scanning the bar code. A cost-benefit analysis showed that the initial investment already paid for itself in the first year.
More information - Kanto Medical Center: Kanto Medical Centre NTT EC (Japan) has introduced automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies in the theatre sterile supply unit. Both two-dimensional barcodes (DataMatrix) and RFID tag are used for verification of surgical instruments and their containers, respectively.
More information - Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK) has implemented GS1 bar codes. The project has improved efficiency of manufacturing operations. Previously a multi-stage process but now done using two connected multi-stage process machines working together. Bar coding products has led to boosted efficiency by significantly reducing the labelling time during manufacturing processes.
More information - Airedale NHS Trust (UK) implements GS1 bar codes on patient wristbands to deliver the right treatment to the right patient. Increased patient safety is the most important benefit.
More information - Wythenshawe Hospital (UK) implements GS1 bar coding to uniquely identify, track and trace surgical instrument trays. Processes are smoother and faster now.
More information - University Hospital CHU Dijon (France) has a traceability platform based on GS1 Standards, to track product data from receiving the products until their administration or usage. The project was supported by GS1 France. This application helped to save 30% of storage locations reallocated to care units, less wastes in the care units, stock improvement and traceability with GTIN, lot number and expiry date to the point of care.
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Case studies RFID:
- University Hospital of Jena (Germany): the introduction of RFID tagged drugs packed individually for each patient and a point-of-care verification system resulted in an increase of the quality of care
View presentation - University Hospital of Dijon (France): the introduction of traceability systems based on RFID technology within the hospital resulted in an increased efficiency in logistics
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