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GS1 Update
More About the GS1 Standards: Deciphering the Bar Code Lingo
By Jean Sargent, CMRP, FAHRMM
IAHCSMM has published several GS1-related articles in previous issues of Central Source in an ongoing effort to keep members abreast of industry bar code standards. While Central Sterile Supply Department professionals are indeed becoming more knowledgeable on the subject, there appear to be some lingering misconceptions and confusion surrounding the different terminologies/acronyms — and the impact that certain components of the bar code standards will have on the CSSD profession, and the healthcare industry, as a whole.
Here, Jean Sargent, CMRP, FAHRMM, supply chain director for USC Health Sciences, and member of the GS1 Healthcare US Leadership Team, offers clear, yet concise answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions.
Who is GS1?
GS1 is a global organization responsible for the creation of standards. It is a voluntary organization that strives to bring industries together to build upon standardized systems. As an example, you use the GS1 system each time you go to the grocery store and your products are scanned. This is an example of where GS1 has provided a standardized method of providing bar codes and labeling for grocery products.
How does this relate to my work?
The current movement, which has been ongoing for many years now, is to get the healthcare industry to the same place as the grocery industry: To give every package a standard bar code that can be read by a bar code scanner and translated into the various systems. Such standards can play an important role in patient safety. Because of barcode standards, the grocery industry has the capability of recalling lettuce, yet healthcare has historically had difficulty with recalls. Expanding bar code standards to healthcare could make prompt, effective recalls a reality.
What is a GLN?
GLN stands for Global Location Number. The healthcare industry is moving to implement GLNs in place of account numbers, again using a standardized methodology. It is a hierarchy with a parent/child relationship. As an example, an apartment complex will have a main address: 100 Main St., with buildings A, B and C, floors 1, 2 and 3, and rooms 101, 102 and 103. A hospital will have the same type of location identifiers, with the main address being the “parent” GLN and each department being assigned a “child” GLN.
How does this relate to my work?
You will begin to notice on your packing or delivery slips a number in addition to or replacing your department number or location of the departments you stock. Over time, this number will be recognizable to you just as you have become familiar with the current numbering system. You will quickly determine whether a shipment does or does not belong to you. This numbering system will also be used to trace where an item has been in the supply chain -- from the manufacturer to the distributor to the hospital and then within the hospital. We will also use this number to track recalls.
What is a GTIN?
A GTIN is a Global Trade Item Number. This is the actual bar code or RFID tag. The bar code has information embedded in the lines or RFID tag. The example below is a linear bar code indicating the information embedded in the bar code. Below the linear bar code is an example of a data matrix bar code and RFID tag. Each of these contains the same information as the linear bar code. The GTIN applies to medical supplies, instruments, equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
How does this affect my work?
As the industry moves toward adoption of these standards, these formats will be used and visible on almost every item handled. The process will be to scan these bar codes and the patient bar code in order to know which product was used on what patient. Our other responsibilities will include: 1) assisting the clinicians performing the scanning if they have issues, questions or concerns, 2) ensuring that the systems, materials, instrument tracking, operating room, cath lab, medical record, and billing, etc., have the capability to take this information from the scanner and enter it into the system (or the capability to take information from one system to another).
Stay tuned for more information on these standards in future issues of Central Source.
