Healthcare and GS1
Healthcare needs to streamline its operations and increase patient safety. GS1 standards help the industry to identify and label the information and supply chain. And then share important data on medicines, samples, patients, caregivers, care locations and much more.
The most important task of healthcare is to ensure that the right care is given to the right patient with the right medicine and dose. When a patient is automatically linked to the correct treatment, the risk of error is reduced. For example, the patient receives the wrong medication and dosage, blood of the wrong blood group or is treated with the wrong surgical procedure.
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Benefits for your business
Streamlining and automation
Better data quality
Traceability
Common standards in healthcare
GS1 standards for identification and labeling are most commonly used in healthcare.
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GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) to identify medicines and medical devices.
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The SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code or GS1 colline number) to identify goods to and from the healthcare provider.
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GLN (Global Location Number) to identify care and delivery locations.
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GIAI (Global Individual Asset Identifier or GS1 individual number) to identify hospital equipment.
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GS1 Datamatrix for labeling medicines and patients.
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RFID for quick identification and reading at longer distances.
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UDI (Unique Device Identification) to label and identify medical devices.
The industry is in agreement
The pharmaceutical industry, with LIF (Pharmaceutical Industry in Sweden) as the driving body, has decided to use GS1 standards for the identification and labelling of products. From February 9, 2019, prescription drugs should be uniquely identified by serial number and marked with GS1 DataMatrix. When products are scanned at the checkout of a pharmacy, there is an automatic reconciliation of data from the supplier to ensure that counterfeit medicines do not enter the market.
IMDRF (International Medical Device Regulator Forum)has developed requirements that the USA introduced in 2013 and that resulted in two EU regulations – Medicintekniska produkters förordning (MDR) och In-Vitrodiagnostik förordning (IVDR). The aim is a coordinated and consistent approach at global level, to increase patient safety and optimize patient care through coordinated Unique Device Identification ( UDI ) legislation and using global standards.
Toolkit for health and social care
Guides, documents, questions and answers for those who want to learn more about standards in their sector.
What’s happening in your sector
Read about industry initiatives, work, news and case studies, and find out about upcoming courses and webinars in the healthcare sector.
Development and maintenance of GS1 industry standards
The healthcare industry in Sweden can participate in influencing the development of GS1 standards through global user groups.
Contact us
Do you have questions about GS1 standards in Healthcare? By filling in the form, you will be put in direct contact with the person responsible for healthcare at GS1 Sweden.
