The Charlotte, N.C.-based Premier healthcare alliance became the first group purchasing organization to announce its endorsement of Lawrenceville, N.J.-based GS1 supply chain standards.
According to the company, use of the standards will enable the identification of medical products and devices, tracking them through the healthcare system and placing them within a standardized product database.
GS1 standards adoption will be supported by Premier through changes to new contract agreements to include adoption commitments, as well as training and educational sessions for providers and suppliers, says the company. Full adoption of the GS1 standards within contracting and operations at Premier will be implemented over the next five years.
