Located in Cali, Colombia, Centro Medico Imbanaco is a state-of-the-art hospital with 380 beds that provides healthcare services for approximately 1.5 million patients each year.

Since 2014, the hospital has been transforming its hospital operations, using GS1 standards to simplify and automate clinical processes for increased efficiencies and enhanced patient safety. And the results are remarkable.

The hospital launched several initiatives focused on ensuring the traceability of medicines, medical devices and other supplies to reduce risks and errors—from receiving products in its central warehouse to dispensing medications at patient bedside. With its automated inventory management system, Centro Medico Imbanaco estimates a 98% improvement in inventory shrinkage and waste and a 25% reduction in inventory levels at its satellite pharmacies.

As product information is recorded in the hospital’s inventory system, it is also recorded in patients’ electronic health records and its billing system. During hospitalisation, a patient’s identification in the GS1 DataMatrix barcode allows Centro Medico Imbanaco to instantly access the record of prescription drugs administered, the procedures performed and, upon discharge, compile all charges for billing purposes. This has resulted in a 55% improved cash flow based on the reduced time needed to create a patient invoice. By automating processes, caregivers can now spend more time doing what they want to do: care for patients.
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