Hospital logistics glossary: UDI, MDR, Kanban, RFID

Barcode (GS1): A machine-readable code on the product or its packaging. In healthcare, GS1 standards are widely used to carry the product identifier, lot and expiry date.
Benchmarking: Comparing indicators between units, processes or periods to find where performance can improve.
Class III implantable device: A high-risk medical device intended to be implanted in the body. Under the EU MDR, hospitals must record the UDI of these devices.
Consignment stock: Products owned by the supplier but stored in the hospital. They are invoiced only when used, so use must be recorded and reconciled with the supplier.
Cost per procedure: The cost of the materials consumed in a specific surgical or interventional procedure, calculated from consumption records.
Expiry management (FEFO): Rotating stock so that the products that expire first are used first: first expired, first out.
Kanban (two-bin): A pull replenishment method. Each product has two containers; when the first is empty, it signals a refill while the second is in use.
MDR: Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices. It sets requirements for safety, performance and traceability, including the UDI system.
Point of use: The place where a product is actually consumed, such as a ward storeroom, an operating theatre or a cath lab.
Product master (catalogue): The reference list of products with their codes, descriptions, classifications and data such as UDI. Its quality determines the quality of traceability.
Pull replenishment: Replenishing what has been consumed, instead of sending fixed quantities or reacting to urgent requests.
RFID (UHF): Radio-frequency identification. A tag on the product can be read automatically, without line of sight; UHF allows several items to be read at a distance.
Service level: The degree to which supply meets the needs of a unit, for example the share of requests served on time and complete.
Smart storage (smart room, smart cabinet): A storage area or cabinet that identifies the products it holds and records what is removed, when and by whom.
Stock level (par level): The quantity of each product agreed for a location. It is the reference for replenishment and is reviewed with consumption data.
Stock-out: A situation in which a product is not available when and where it is needed.
Traceability: The ability to follow a product from its arrival in the hospital to its use, and to link it to the patient when required.
UDI: Unique Device Identification: an identifier that links a medical device to its manufacturer and model and, depending on the device, its lot or serial number.

Hospital logistics, in plain words.

Let's transform healthcare operations.