Industry Collaboration Announces Complimentary GLN Implementation Workshop

Scituate, MA (January 25, 2011): To help the healthcare industry with its adoption of GS1 Global Location Numbers (GLNs), the Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management (AHRMM), GS1 Healthcare US, and the Strategic Marketplace Initiative (SMI) will co-sponsor a GLN Implementation Workshop. The one-day complimentary session, recommended for healthcare provider, manufacturer, and distributor supply chain professionals, will take place on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Dallas, Texas.

The workshop is designed specifically for data managers, electronic data interchange (EDI) professionals, and other healthcare supply chain professionals with front-line responsibility for implementing the GLN in their organizations. It will feature a live tutorial on the GLN Registry for Healthcare® and instruction from provider and supplier-based faculty and ERP system professionals who have experience successfully implementing the GLN. The workshop will provide attendees the information and training needed to begin GLN implementation within their organizations.

Space in the workshop is limited – only the first 60 registrants will be enrolled in order to maximize the interaction throughout the all-day session. There is no registration fee for the workshop; however attendees will be responsible for their own travel expenses.

The workshop co-sponsors are the leading organizations that have been consistently supportive of supply chain data standards adoption in healthcare. “While many organizations in healthcare have already made great progress in adopting the GLN, there are still other organizations seeking direction on where to start and how to implement.” said Tom Hughes, Executive Director of SMI. AHRMM President Bill Stitt noted, “AHRMM is pleased to be a part of this collaboration to help industry professionals adopt and utilize the GLN. Through increased adoption, the benefits of the GLN will begin to be realized.”

“With such an industry-wide intense focus on using consistent, standardized location information via the GLN, there is no better time for hospitals and their supplier partners to work out their GLN implementation strategies so that all parties can begin to reap the benefits, including assurance that supplies get to the right place at the right time, every time,” said Ed Miles, Vice President of GS1 Healthcare US.

For registration information and agenda, visit www.gs1us.org/hcGLNworkshop.


About GLN
The Global Location Number (GLN) is a globally recognized identification number used to identify and link legal entities, trading partners and customer locations in electronic commerce activities. The use of standardized location identification not only ensures that the right product arrives at the right place at the right time, it also enables more efficient business practices and helps to drive down supply chain costs.

About AHRMM
The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management is the leading national association for executives in the healthcare resource and materials management profession. A professional membership group of the American Hospital Association, AHRMM serves more than 4,000 active members. Founded in 1962, AHRMM prepares its members to contribute to the field and advance the profession through networking, education, recognition, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.ahrmm.org.

About GS1 Healthcare US®
GS1 Healthcare US is an industry group that focuses on driving the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards in the healthcare industry in the United States to improve patient safety and supply chain efficiency. GS1 Healthcare US brings together members from all segments of the healthcare industry to address the supply chain issues that most impact healthcare in the United States. Facilitated by GS1 US, GS1 Healthcare US is one of twenty-four local GS1 Healthcare user groups around the world that supports the adoption and implementation of global standards developed by GS1. For more information, visit www.gs1us.org/healthcare

About SMI
The Strategic Marketplace Initiative (SMI) is a not-for-profit consortium of executives representing healthcare providers, medical supply chain companies and other businesses united to reengineer, shape, and advance the future of the healthcare supply chain. SMI provides a venue where collaborative teams work together to address industry issues and implement best practices through improved operational efficiencies. Formed to act as a change agent for healthcare, SMI seeks to introduce non-healthcare related best practices and technologies to the healthcare supply chain. For more information visit, www.smisupplychain.com