MediClick Exec Joins GS1 Group Working to Standardize Procurement Process in Healthcare
Raleigh, NC – January 6, 2010 – MediClick, a leading provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) supply chain solutions in the healthcare industry, today announced that the company’s vice president of supply chain strategy, Don Boss, is participating in the Application and Implementation Workgroup of GS1 Healthcare US, a group that focuses on standardizing the procurement process for all healthcare trading partners.
“MediClick is eager to participate at the beginning of this standardization process so we can lend our voice to something that will have such a significant impact on the way our clients and their vendors do business,” said Boss, whose workgroup focuses on implementing GS1 standards in hospitals and other environments.
As the force behind the barcode standards in the food industry, GS1 is now focused on driving supply chain standards for all healthcare trading partners, including hospitals, manufacturers, GPOs and distributors. The main goal is to translate each partner’s unique product identifiers into one common language that all recognize.
“When doctors order products that are critical to patient care, standardized codes will ensure they receive the correct supplies quickly and efficiently,” said Boss. “This will ultimately enhance the quality of health care to all.”
Behind the scenes, implementing these procurement standards mean supply chain managers no longer need to spend time matching up their item information with vendor codes for the same product. Instead, supply chain managers will have the assurance they’re getting the right products, at the accurate price, and with fewer errors on purchase orders.
To accomplish these goals, GS1 Healthcare US is working toward three main initiatives:
- Establishing a Global Location Number (GLN) that identifies every trading partner in the supply chain by December 2010;
- Setting up a Global Trade ID Number (GTIN) that identifies the product and its packaging by December 2012;
- Creating a Global Data Synchronization Network (GSDN), or data pool, that gathers the GLN and GTIN numbers into one publicly accessible place.
In 2010, MediClick is sponsoring a pilot program to demonstrate how the GS1 healthcare standards will increase efficiency in the supply chain operations of hospitals, GPOs, and suppliers. Boss anticipates using the outcomes to produce best practice recommendations for the industry.
About MediClick
Control of the healthcare supply chain begins with MediClick. Exclusively focused on hospitals and healthcare organizations, the Raleigh, NC-based company designs supply chain and financial applications for the unique needs of its customers. With a suite of innovative products – MediClick for Contracts & Analysis, MediClick for the Supply Chain, and MediClick for Financials – the company delivers a comprehensive supply chain solution, driving significant cost savings and better decision making for healthcare organizations. MediClick helps hospitals take control of their supply chain. For information, please visit www.mediclick.com.