Unique device identifiers enhance patient safety and quality when used in electronic health records and insurance claims, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Here are six things to know:
1. Congress mandates every medical device be assigned a UDI corresponding to the product's manufacturer and model type.
2. Including devices' UDIs in EHRs improves patient safety, as providers may easily pinpoint expired devices or MRI-compatible devices.
3. UDIs in EHRs also enable physicians to know exactly which devices are implanted in patients, especially in cases of adverse events.
4. Along with EHR inclusion, UDIs should also be included in insurance claims.
5. Since claims already include specifics about procedures, adding the specific medical device UDIs will allow providers to gather data on device efficacy.
6. Inclusion of UDIs in claims will also allow providers to demonstrate value of certain devices, and let physicians identify which ones provide cost-effective care.