The GS1 Brazil Automatization Association was one of the exhibitors at Hospitalar 2012 – the 19th International Product, Equipment and Technology Fair for Hospitals, Laboratories, Pharmacies and Clinics which was held between the 22nd and 25th of May at Expo Centro Norte.
GS1 Brazil was notable for solutions which improve patient safety, including the GS1 DataMatrix Code, a two-dimensional code identification technology. The GS1 DataMatrix Code is a tool that facilitates the reception, management and separation of medicines in both pharmacies and hospitals. Using the patient’s electronic prescription, the pharmacist will use a two-dimensional code reader to interpret information encrypted by the producer’s code, containing information about the dosage to be administered to patients. In order to guarantee the patient’s safety, the hospital can systematically verify whether the medication provided is the one prescribed to the patient. According to Ana Paula Maniero, a Business Solutions Consultant at GS1 Brazil, “the GS1 DataMatrix Code is the most trustworthy means for patients and healthcare professionals with regard to traceability and safety.” “It is very important to take part in GS1 Brazil because it is one of the biggest events in the country’s industry, in which we will exchange information with professionals and offer benefits for the supply chain with the adoption of international standards,” the executive added.
GS1 Brazil expects a large number of visitors to come to their stand which highlights the importance of regulations and standards in the supply chain, their link to patient safety and shares its knowledge of the best international practice. In Brazil, four of the most important hospitals in the country have already invested in guaranteeing patient safety in medication administration. The Albert Einstein, Maternidade Santa Joana, Oswaldo Cruz and Moinhos de Vento (RS) hospitals are GS1 partners for the adoption of standards. The use of global standards results in advantages such as traceability, reduction of margins of error and guarantees safety as well as optimizing resources and reducing the loss of materials.
