Improving inventory management and patient safety with simple scans

The hospitals’ surgery departments used non-standardised manual processes for the replenishment of goods, making them timeconsuming with increased risk for human error.

There was also an insufficient way to track and trace implants and their patients. Finally, the hospitals needed a better understanding of the total cost for surgeries.

North Denmark Region’s IT department developed an automated process for replenishment that allows staff to scan GS1 barcodes on products used in surgery, directly from the operation theatre. The system was been expanded to include traceability capabilities for implants to patients, named the Implant Trace Module (ITM). Since the traceability system is scalable, it has been implemented in all Surgery departments.