GS1 standards, the use of it across the global healthcare systems can help reduce medication errors and save lives. The GS1 barcodes help to enhance safety by making use of machine-based checking. These barcodes help caregivers to match patients with the correct medication or medical device, administered by an authorized nurse. This is a significant time saver and eliminates manual data entry errors.
GS1 - right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, right route:
Enables verification of the patient's identity
Help to identify if the right patient receives the right medication
By linking the medical product to the patient, it supports efficient product recalls
Advantages of GS1 barcodes in Healthcare Systems
Reduction of medication errors
Cut down the risk of adverse drug events
At all points of care, positive patient identification is facilitated
Enable accurate information about medical products to be recorded in EMR (electronic medical records)
Ensure the right patient is given the right treatment at the right time
Conclusion
Implementing GS1 standards, together with barcode-reading devices and software that are compatible with GS1, is vital for standardizing products and processes to ensure the
safety and efficiency of our health system.
References
1. Jose Luis San Juan: GS1 Healthcare Reference Book 2019-2020., The Global Language of Business, 2019.
