New resource from GS1 US helps healthcare industry optimize supply chain operations
GS1 US® has published a new resource to help healthcare companies improve patient safety and supply chain efficiency by better leveraging unique product identification. The GTIN Adoption and Usage Model is a self-assessment tool for manufacturers and providers to gauge progress in adopting and using the Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®), a globally unique identification number assigned to pharmaceutical products and medical devices to identify and track products in the supply chain.
The resource offers a detailed implementation roadmap that can be used to assess specific capabilities needed to fully realize the benefits of GTIN implementation in healthcare, including streamlined operations, recall readiness, supply chain visibility, and meeting regulatory requirements, primarily FDA Unique Device Identification (UDI) and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). For example, healthcare providers can leverage GTINs as a standard identifier in their end-to-end processes – from the time an order is placed, to the delivery of the product, use of the product at the patient bedside and accurate recording of the product in the patient’s electronic health record.