GS1 DataMatrix in Healthcare

Posted on by Menno

Global standards for automatic identification provide an opportunity to make the healthcare supply chain safer as well as more efficient and accurate. Healthcare regulators and trading partners have realised that a global standardised identification system from manufacturer to patient treatment is imperative to comply with the increasing need for product traceability around the world. The GS1 System, globally endorsed by the healthcare community, is the most widely used identification system worldwide with more than 5 billion transactions per day. Built on a foundation of identification keys (such as the Global Trade Item Number or GTIN) and attributes (such as a batch/ lot number, expiry date, unique serial number etc.), it is uniquely suited to meet the needs of the healthcare industry.

Read more here MC07_GS1_Datamatrix

datamatrix on medical instrument

DataMatrix reading means DoviSCAN

Posted on by Menno

DataMatrix codes can be easily placed on medical instruments. Most manufacturers already put their name on the instruments.

Especially designed for hospitals is the DoviSCAN manufactured by DOVIDEQ medical. This smart DataMatrix reader will enable you to read the smallest codes on medical instruments. Fit’s right into the workflow of CSSD’s and other departments of hospitals or other companies working in the medical field. The DoviSCAN is currently one of the smartest and best DataMatrix scanners out there an affordable compared to the competition.

Doviscan-DataMatrix

 

DataMatrix code

Tracking and Tracing of medical Instruments

Posted on by Menno

Tracking & Tracing of medical instruments is becoming more and more important to hospitals. To increase patient safety and overall efficiency hospitals need to monitor were instruments are and on what patients they are used. Market leaders of medical instruments like Aesculap/BBraun already put DataMatrix codes on their instruments so this seems like the perfect opportunity to start using those codes. DataMatrix can follow existing guidelines like GS1 to ensure uniqueness and are cheap to put on instruments. A lot of manufactures are already putting there name in the instruments with a laser engraver, so adding a code is 1 click away.

Reading DataMatrix codes is however not that easy. Medical instruments are made of surgical steel (stainless) which does reflect light intensively. Special equipment to read the codes needs to be purchased. Also a protocol at the CSSD department and integration into existing IT systems need to take place.

Incorporating Track & Trace does not need to be that expensive however. You can start with a company that will sell you fancy RFID systems, but you can also start with a low budget and start learning about the processes which are important for your organisation. No million dollar system will help you if it does not fit in your workflow. By starting with DataMatrix technology you can start learning right now and identify your needs as you evolve to other systems and technologies.  So DataMatrix may not sound that über hightech, but in the end it’s not the type code that matters, it’s the proces and system behind it.