UDI Barcode Scanner: Medical Device Tracking
At Orca Scan, we’ve created a UDI barcode scanner solution that allows care providers to track all formats of Unique Device Identification (UDI) barcodes in one single scan. All Medical Devices sold in the US, EU and China must carry a Unique Device Identification (UDI) barcode. UDI barcodes are the global standard, introduced by Governments to protect patients around the world with transparency. A UDI barcode allows every medical device to be tracked across the entire supply chain, from initial manufacture to its use with a patient.
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Minimise Human Error, Maximise Patient Safety
Don't let untraceable medical devices compromise patient care
End-to-End Traceability to Ensure Visibility and Compliance
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Work Online with your Team
Add users from across departments, or different hospitals sites to relevant sheets so they have access to the correct device data
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Detailed History Log
Keep an accurate audit trail of who last recorded a device, edited an entry, at what location, and its condition
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Save Time and Effort
Damaged, lost or expired medical devices can be life-threatening. Using a digital inventory system gives you a clear, accurate view of your inventory to help save time and money
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Triggers
Set up triggers to monitor stock levels, damaged products and devices, deliveries, patient updates, and more
Powerful features to improve your workflow
Automate, integrate and collaborate — all in real time
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Fully Customisable
Add triggers, attachments, signatures and more by customising your Orca Scan sheet
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Scan with Mobile
Designed to grow with you, start with smartphones and tablets and add Enterprise scanners when needed
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Print Barcodes
If devices do not have barcodes, you can easily create design, generate and print compliant barcodes with Orca Scan
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Manage Multiple Locations
Track medical devices across sites by simply duplicating your sheets and adding relevant users to manage each sheet
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Export Data to Excel
Export data and reports directly to Excel to easily share with healthcare teams, other facilities, and supply chain partners
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Add views
You can easily combine all your scanned items, from multiple sheets, into a well-organised read-only sheet with the help of views
Here's why thousands of teams count on Orca Scan
Trusted by businesses worldwide
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Christy Johnson
Paramedic Supervisor at Leavenworth County EMS
If you work in the medical field and need to keep track of your medical equipment, and want to be able to customise it for your service, then Orca Scan is the solution
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KCLI
best barcode / qrcode scanner
excellent
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Mark Berry
Theatre Inventory Implants Manager at Northumbria NHS Trust 
The cost savings staffing-wise is phenomenal
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Vlad Glavacheck
Volunteer at Rescue Now 
Where previously there was chaos, there is now a clear route for everything
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Ralf Beck
General Manager at iVascular 
I have already recommended Orca Scan to my colleagues in other European countries
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Margaret Tingley
Love this product. Support awesome.
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How to Get Started with This Solution
What exactly is a UDI barcode and how is it used?
All Medical Devices sold in the US, EU and China must carry a Unique Device Identification (UDI) barcode. UDI barcodes are the global standard, introduced by Governments to protect patients around the world with transparency.
A UDI barcode allows every medical device to be tracked across the entire supply chain, from initial manufacture to its use with a patient.
They are made up of two parts. The first is the device identifier which holds the manufacturer and device information. The second is the production identifier which contains the Manufacture Date, Lot Number, Serial Number and Expiration Date.
These values combined result in a unique identifier, allowing every instance of a medical device to be tracked and traced. Similar traceability needs exist in other regulated industries, including cannabis production.
Why is tracking medical devices with a UDI barcode scanner important?
Since 2016, recalls of faulty, expired or defective medical units saw an increase of over 70% (Statista, 2021). Before introducing the UDI barcode and UDI barcode scanner, a patient would have to undergo life-threatening surgery to identify if they were at risk from one of these defective devices.
The UDI barcode eliminates this by allowing medical staff to determine the exact patients implanted with a particular device.
Why can tracking UDI barcodes be difficult?
UDI barcodes can be encoded into 3 different formats, GS1, HIBCC and ICCBBA. All 3 barcode types contain the exact same information but are presented differently.
The problem is, that not all devices and computer systems can track and scan the different types of UDI barcodes. That’s why manufacturers often place more than one barcode style on a product.
This creates confusion for care providers when scanning the barcodes as they don’t know which barcode to scan. Instead, they often record the data manually before inputting entering it into a database – leading to increased human errors.
How can I use Orca Scan as a UDI barcode scanner?
The Orca Scan Medical Device Tracking template automatically extracts the Device Identifier, Serial Number, Manufacturer/Production Date, Lot Number and Expiration Date from a UDI barcode into the relevant columns when scanned with a UDI barcode scanner.
In addition, if the medical device is registered with the US FDA, Orca Scan will also populate the manufacturer’s name and device description - reducing human error.
To get started:
- Register for an Orca Scan account or sign in to your account
- Create a new sheet using the Medical Device template
- Download the Orca Scan barcode app
- Scan a UDI barcode on a Medical Device
- See the information extracted, enter a quantity and save the changes
To view all your medical devices, including locations, along with a full audit log, just log in to the Orca Scan web application.
Medical Devices related questions?
If you need help brainstorming how best to track your inventory, get in touch; we’d be happy to help.
