CHARLOTTE, NC – As the healthcare industry moves towards universal data standards to improve patient safety and reduce supply chain costs, 60 healthcare suppliers working with the Premier healthcare alliance have successfully synchronized standardized product data as of December 31, 2009. The suppliers are using 1SYNC, a certified Data Pool in the GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN).

Although a vast number of products in America, from peanut butter to light bulbs, have standardized and synchronized product data attributes -- as well as bar codes, which facilitate product tracking -- many proprietary systems remain in use for medical devices, and do not have the same standardized, synchronized and bar coded information. This means that patients today may face a significant safety risk. For example, a recalled medical device or product could inadvertently be used in treatment because of the inability to rapidly locate a recalled product in the hospital.

A critical element of data standardization is the ability for hospitals to synchronize product data with suppliers through the GDSN, a centralized repository of product identification numbers, dimensions, and other data. This interconnected, secure global network of databases works like a World Wide Web for the data. The GDSN also facilitates the sharing of this data among supply-chain partners in an automated, standards-based, electronic environment. In order to access the GDSN, organizations must first select a certified data pool. Premier selected 1SYNC, the GS1 US data pool.

“GS1 standards have the dual power to increase savings through cost avoidance and increased operational efficiency while contributing to improvement in patient safety,” explains Marla Weigert, Premier group vice president for Premier Purchasing Partners. “For several years now, Premier has been working with and on behalf of our member community to ensure that the benefits of GS1 standards are available to our members and their patients.”

Premier is working closely with its contracted suppliers and member hospitals toward full adoption of standards in advance of the industry’s Sunrise dates for Global Location Numbers (2010) to standardize location identification and Global Trade Item Numbers (2012) to standardize product identification. With standardized product data now available from these 60 suppliers, Premier members can begin to transact purchase orders, invoices and other critical supply chain communications using this data in lieu of individual proprietary product and location numbers from each supplier and hospital inventory system.

“Premier’s accomplishment of synchronizing data with 60 of their suppliers in a short period of time demonstrates the flexibility and ease of use of the GDSN and the 1SYNC data pool,” said Joe Zenobio, chief solutions officer, GS1 US. “We congratulate Premier on their success in getting their community on board with this standardized system, which should benefit one and all, and ultimately lead to greater patient safety.”

1SYNC works closely with Premier and its other subscribers to synchronize product data with suppliers through the GDSN, providing technology, implementation support, education, training, and unlimited customer service.

In July 2008, Premier’s Purchasing Partners division was the first group purchasing organization (GPO) to endorse GS1 standards. Premier played an integral role in Congress’ October 2007 legislation requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put in place a mandatory national unique device identification (UDI) system to increase patient safety and decrease healthcare supply chain costs. Premier also assisted in the inclusion of additional language, requiring the FDA to issue regulations to implement a UDI system no later than six months after enactment, in the 2009 house-passed health reform bill and is working to keep this language in the final health reform bill currently being negotiated in Congress. A key to UDI implementation is the institution of universal data standards such as GS1.

Premier is a member of the Advancing Patient Safety Coalition, which is committed to improving patient safety through the establishment of a national UDI system. Its membership is comprised of over 40 prominent hospital, physician, nursing, research, quality and patient advocacy organizations such as the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, and The Joint Commission. The coalition has sent multiple letters and comments to the FDA regarding implementation of a UDI system, as has Premier.

Premier conducted a survey of clinical professionals nationwide to decipher methods used in healthcare settings to record and track information on medical devices. High level findings from this survey show that:

• More than 80 percent of respondents stated that a national UDI system would enhance patient safety.
• When recalls occur, nearly all hospitals are conducting manual searches of records or logs to identify patients who received a recalled device or product.

About 1SYNC
1SYNC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of GS1 US, is a leading certified data pool in the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). The 1SYNC community currently consists of 50 leading retailers and more than 5,000 suppliers worldwide. These implementations comprise data for more than 2 million items synchronized in the GDSN. 1SYNC is dedicated to the implementation of standards-based, global supply-chain solutions, and offers a robust, easy-to-use solution that can reduce costly data errors and increase supply-chain efficiencies for companies of all sizes. For more information, visit www.1SYNC.org.

About GS1 US
GS1 US is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply-chain solutions. More than 200,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading-partner collaboration and for maximizing the cost-effectiveness, speed, visibility, and traceability of their goods moving around the world. They achieve these benefits through GS1 US solutions based on GS1 global unique numbering and identification systems, bar codes, Electronic Product Code-based RFID, data synchronization, and electronic information exchange. GS1 US operates the subsidiaries and brands 1SYNC; BarCodes and eCom; EPCglobal US; GS1 Healthcare US; and RosettaNet. It also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) for the UNDP.

About Premier Inc.
The Premier healthcare alliance is more than 2,300 U.S. hospitals and 64,000-plus other healthcare sites working together to improve healthcare quality and affordability. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier maintains the nation's most comprehensive repository of clinical, financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare purchasing network.