Siemens Leads By Example In IVD Industry Through Adopting GS1 Standards For Healthcare Product Identification

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 23 Sep 2010 - 5:00 PDT


Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has published product data including GTINs for its complete U.S. product portfolio to the GHX Health ConneXion™ data pool, which is certified by GS1's Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) to synchronize medical-surgical product data. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. Use of standards has proven highly effective in other industries, such as retail and consumer packaged goods, improving business processes and order accuracy. The healthcare system is working hard to achieve those same benefits.

The first step in the standardization process is the assignment of standard identifiers such as the Global Location Number (GLN) for organization identification and the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) for product identification. These identifiers are fundamental to accurate and efficient supply chain operations followed by a means to synchronize this data across the healthcare supply chain. Data synchronization ensures all trading partners have access to the same timely and accurate information to minimize error in the supply chain that can impact operational efficiency, accurate pricing and patient safety.

"Siemens Healthcare is taking a leadership role in the adoption of standardized product identification as we actively work to publish all of our products to the GHX Health ConneXion data pool, said Dietmar Hein, Head of Global e-Commerce for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "We offer our full support of this crucial initiative whose ultimate goal is to enhance patient safety while streamlining the healthcare supply chain."

Specific benefits to the healthcare industry include: reduction in medication errors through efficient automatic identification; more efficient and accurate traceability of products and devices throughout the supply chain; less clinician time spent on manual documentation, leaving more time for patient care; lower costs through increased supply chain efficiency; and improved order and invoice processes.

"Siemens has taken an important step to accelerate delivery of these benefits to its customers," says Bruce Johnson, GHX Chief Executive. "We are pleased that Siemens has chosen to participate in the GHX Health ConneXion data pool to expedite standards adoption, which can help make significant improvements in both the cost and quality of healthcare."

Source:
Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC (GHX)
Siemens Healthcare Sector

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