November 12, 2018 Industry news
Survey reveals over 90% of products scanned have GS1 identifiers
Using the GS1 healthcare app, members of the GS1 Global and UK office visited Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth to measure the number of GS1 barcodes marked on healthcare products and information about changing trends in their use. This has then been compared with previous survey results which were gathered there in 2016.
The results indicated an increased prevalence of GS1 barcodes on healthcare products, with over 90% of products using GS1 standards. This included a 13% increase since 2016, when the last survey was completed. There was also a decrease of 14% in non-GS1 barcodes scanned. When this was split by department, Orthopaedics/Prosthesis has seen the greatest increase:
- Cardiology – increase in GS1 barcodes by 8%
- Orthopaedics / Prosthesis – increase in GS1 barcodes by 23%
- General Stores – increase in GS1 barcodes by 13%
The increase highlights the growing use of GS1 barcodes by suppliers to the NHS, in line with the Department of Health and Social Care mandate that says all acute trusts in England, and their suppliers, must be GS1 compliant by 2019/20.
If you need help getting your barcodes compliant, get in touch with our healthcare team who will be able to help you get started.
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