Canadian Pharmaceutical Bar Coding Project (original) (raw)

Designing a National Strategy for Healthcare
	In an effort to increase medication safety, members of the healthcare industry are collaborating to implement standardized bar codes on pharmaceutical products which have been approved for use in Canada. Headed jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), this national initiative is guided by an advisory Implementation Committee with technical requirements developed with assistance from a Technical Task Force (TTF), representing six identified healthcare sectors. Our Canadian project and the concept of a national standard for medication bar coding practice is being endorsed by a large number of health practice organizations within Canada, and the support is growing. Read support statements like this, in our endorsement section.
GS1 Canada Technical Support In 2012, the multiphase project updated and issued technical bar code (automated Identification) requirements for Canadian pharmaceuticals, based on the GS1 global automated identification standard. The recommendations define bar code use across all Canadian health sectors in the following areas: Minimally-required medication information contained within bar code and allowable bar code types Standardized database elements for medication product descriptors Which medications are to be bar coded, and at what packaging levels Additional bar code requirements and recommendations to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Plus, Minimum Software Functionality for patient care computer system and automation Guidelines to the pharmaceutical industry for bar code placement on product labels The current recommendations are contained in a document is entitled "Joint Technical Statement on Canadian Pharmaceutical Automated Identification and Product Data Requirements". (Version II: 2012) For further project information, including our current status, see our project description page.

About the Project

Designing a National Strategy for Healthcare In an effort to increase patient safety, members of the healthcare industry are collaborating to implement standardized bar codes on all aspects of pharmaceutical labelling. Headed jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), the initiative is guided by a national Implementation Committee and being developed with assistance from a 34-member Technical Task Force (TTF), representing six identified healthcare sectors. GS1 Canada Technical Support ISMP Canada and CPSI jointly endorsed the adoption of the GS1 global standard for automated identification (e.g., bar coding) of pharmaceutical products in Canada. The multiphase project has developed draft technical requirements for Canadian pharmaceuticals in the following areas: bar code components and symbologies, product database elements, medications to be included in the categories to be bar coded, and packaging levels and bar code placement. Joint Technical Statement Current commercial pharmaceutical automated identification (bar code) technical recommendations, based on the pan-Canadian adoption of the GS1 global standard, are contained in the "Joint Technical Statement on Pharmaceutical Automated Identification and Product Database Requirements". This document was updated and re-issued as Version II; 2012 in February 2012. Resource Guide Healthcare practice guidance related to the acquisition and incorporation of medication bar code systems into patient care operations are found in the Medication Bar Code System Implementation Planning: A Resource Guide, issued October 2013. Collaborating Health Sectors: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Retail Pharmacies Institutional Pharmacies Professional Practice Organizations Healthcare Solution Providers Supply Chain and Public Purchasing Organizations CURRENT PROJECT ACTIVITIES Phase III: Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement To identify and contact stakeholders in all Canadian health sectors. To assure they are aware of the Joint Technical Statement, and to seek their support. To affect knowledge transfer to all healthcare workers in each sector, and the public. To continue the collaborative environment to promote medication safety through automated practice integration using bar coding. To develop a sustainability strategy to assure the long-term adoption of the Joint Technical Statement components. Phase IV: Implementation Progress Promote Pharmaceutical Manufacturer and Health Technology Provider uptake Promote professional practice and safety and practice organizations' support Collaborate with public Group Purchasing Organizations' for contracting support Provide guidelines for the placement of bar codes on pharmaceutical labels To develop end-user bar code implementation resources

FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY: Medbuy Corporation HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) Baxter Corporation Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc (PPC) AstraZeneca Canada Inc Eli Lilly Canada Inc Healthmark McKesson Canada Pfizer Canada Inc Sandoz Canada Inc Sanofi Canada Inc TEVA Novopharm Ltd The following organizations are members of the Implementation Advisory Committee for the project: Canada Health Infoway Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution Management Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association Canadian Patient Safety Institute Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists Group Purchasing Organization Alliance (currently includes Approvisionnement-Montréal, Health_PRO_, and Medbuy Corporation) GS1 Canada Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada Public Health Agency of Canada Technical Task Force: Sectors and Representatives

Medication Bar Code System Implementation Planning - A Resource Guide The Resource Guide is provided in two formats below. The first is a download of the entire 200-page guide (4.7 MB) with internal links to assist the reader in moving about the document. The other is a section-by-section option with limited linking between the sections.
	Full Resource Guide Download: Full Resource Guide Includes: Introduction, Précis, Sections I-V
Section-by-Section Option
	Introduction Download: Introduction of the Resource Guide Includes: Foreword, About the Project, Guide Testimonials from Canadian Leaders, Linkable Table of Contects, and Executive Summary ....
	Précis Download: Précis of the Resource Guide The "Document Précis" section summarizes the main content of the document, in bullet format. Refer to the complete sections in the body of the document for cited references and additional detail. Direct links to additional detail are provided beside each major section title to assist the reader.
	Section I - A Bar Code Primer for Leaders Download: Section I of the Resource Guide Section I provides a simplified explanation of Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and the GS1 global AIDC standard, the uses and limitations of selected bar code types within the GS1 standard, and how bar codes can be used within healthcare to safely verify medications and accurately document health care practices.
	Section II - Building the Case for Automated Identification of Medications Download: Section II of the Resource Guide The Value of Bar Code Systems in Reducing Preventable Medication Errors Section II provides a rationale for utilizing automated medication verification at various stages of the medication-use process. It offers a basis for understanding the problem of preventable medication errors, human accuracy issues related to routine but important medication-use functions, and the principles of enhanced support for such functions. It also provides speaks to the important role of senior healthcare leaders in adopting strategies aligned with improved electronic and automated systems.
	Section III - Implementation Considerations Download: Section III of the Resource Guide Successful Bar Code Implementation: Foundational and Specific Experiences Successful implementation of new or modified healthcare systems depends on a number of external and internal factors. External factors are often not within the facility's control, but internal factors can often be foreseen and addressed. This section reviews both high-level external influences and a number of internal planning considerations and also suggests a structure for the implementation process.
	Section IV/V - References and Acknowledgements Download: Section IV/V of the Resource Guide Includes: References and Acknowledgements (National Implementation Committee, Reviewers, Funding Sponsors)

Supporters

ISMP Canada and CPSI wish to express our sincere appreciation to the following organizations who have shown national leadership in Canadian patient medication safety innovation, through their participation in the Canadian Pharmaceutical Bar Coding Project. Supporters: Funders, The Implementation Committee, The Technical Task Force, Endorsements and Newsletters Funders Medbuy Corporation Endorsement Health_PRO_ Procurement Services Inc Endorsement [Announcement](download/HealthPRO%5FArticle%5FISMP BarCodingProject%5FPhaseIV.pdf) Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) Newsletter Baxter Corporation Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc (PPC) AstraZeneca Canada Inc Eli Lilly Canada Inc Healthmark McKesson Canada Pfizer Canada Inc Sandoz Canada Inc Sanofi Canada Inc TEVA Novopharm Ltd The Implementation Committee Canada Health Infoway Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution Management Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) - Newsletter Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists Endorsement Group Purchasing Organization Alliance (currently includes Approvisionnement-Montréal, Health_PRO_, and Medbuy Corporation) GS1 Canada Newsletter GS1 Endorsement ISMP Canada Public Health Agency of Canada The Technical Task Force Global AIDC Standards & Public Health Info Systems: Canada Health Infoway,GS1 Canada Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Apotex Inc.,Baxter Corporation,BIOTECanada,Healthmark,Pfizer,Merck (Canada),Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc.,Sandoz Canada Inc. Supply Chain & Group Purchasing Organizations: Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network: (Corresponding), GPO: Approvisionnement-Montreal, GPO: Health_PRO_, GPO: Medbuy Corporation, Provincial Health Services: Ministry of Health, Ontario: Supplies, Provincial Health Services: Ministry of Health, Ontario, Pharmacy, Provincial Health Services: Alberta Health Services: Contracting and Pharmacy Services Health Information Technology Providers: Baxa Corporation,Cardinal Health,Cerner Corporation,Eclipsys,GE Healthcare IT,McKesson Canada,Meditech Retail Pharmacy Practice Clinical Users: London Drugs Ltd. (BC), Rexall (Katz Group),Shoppers Drug Mart Institutional Pharmacy Practice Clinical Users: Brantford Health Care System,Fraser Health Authority, B.C.,London Health Sciences Centre,University Health Network (Toronto),Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C. Health Regulators & Professional Organizations: Accreditation Canada,Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists,Health Quality Council of Alberta,Public Health Agency of Canada CSHP Endorsement HQCA Endorsement Project Planning Group: Ms. Sylvia Hyland (ISMP Canada), Ms. Pierrette Leonard (CPSI), Mr. Ian Sheppard (ISMP Canada, and Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C.) Endorsements and Newsletters B.C. Patient Safety and Quality Council - Endorsement Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society - Endorsement Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres - Endorsement Canadian Healthcare Association - Endorsement Canadian Medical Association - Endorsement CMAJ -Newsletter Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society - Endorsement Canadian Nurses Association - Endorsement Health Council of Canada - Endorsement Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety - Endorsement Ontario Hospital Association - Endorsement Vancouver Island Health Authority - Endorsement