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Global standards


On July 3, the FDA released its proposed Unique Device Identification rule. Find out what this means to your business and how you can get ready in a five-part blog series from Karen Conway, GHX Industry Relations Director:

GHX supports industry adoption and use of global data standards. We believe that their expanded use enables greater visibility and collaboration in the healthcare supply chain. Increased standards adoption builds trust among stakeholders, improves efficiencies and leads to better patient care and improved financial performance.

Our position

An open and neutral organization, GHX does not endorse the standards of one particular body over another;however, because there is significant movement toward GS1 standards globally, GHX is supporting the healthcare community as it implements GS1 Global Location Numbers (GLNs) and Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) in supply chain transactions.

We’re here to help

As the world’s largest healthcare exchange, connecting the majority of healthcare providers and suppliers in the U.S., as well as trading partners in Canada and Europe, GHX is uniquely positioned to serve as a strategic partner for global data standards enablement. Through programs, resources and service offerings focused solely on the needs of the healthcare industry, we are helping to accelerate the adoption and use of global data standards for the benefit of our members and the patients they serve.
Healthcare Regulations and Industry Standards

Use of global data standards is gaining momentum in the healthcare industry, from all parties of the healthcare supply chain—providers, suppliers/distributors and GPOs. As healthcare organizations gain knowledge and new healthcare industry regulations demand compliance, adoption of healthcare industry standards continues to increase worldwide.

Healthcare has, for many reasons, been slower to adopt data standards than most industries. One factor has been the lack of consensus concerning which body of standards would be embraced. In recent years, healthcare has shown significant movement toward GS1 standards.

Global Data Standards and Compliance for Effective Supply Chain Management

The industry is increasingly uses Global Location Numbers (GLNs) so that every party within the supply chain identifies the same organizations and locations in the same way. A provider’s Purchasing department can assign unique identifiers to each of its bill-to and ship-to locations so that suppliers can use those numbers in place of proprietary account numbers.

With regards to product identification, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) are also being used in more and more in business transactions. Because providers, suppliers and other trading partners often identify the same products in many different ways, a number of major healthcare delivery systems, group purchasing organizations and trade associations have called on manufacturers to use GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs).

Additionally, as the FDA’s Unique Device Identification (UDI) system rolls out and the industry expands automation expertise into the implantable device supply chain, use of standards will reach more completely across the business of healthcare. UDI labels, containing information and barcodes, and integrated logistics will benefit from such standardization. 

GHX is a Healthcare Supply Chain Management company. Our main offerings include: Healthcare Industry Consulting, Automated Hospital Accounts Payable, Medical Business Intelligence, and Medical EDI.