Using Global Location Numbers for a unique identification system in Swiss healthcare

In the early 1990s, a group of visionaries stated that the current way to identify actors in the Swiss healthcare industry was far from sustainable and very inefficient. Every actor — such as healthcare manufacturer, distributor, hospital, pharmacy or medical doctor—was identified in multiple ways.

For example, a medical doctor might have been identified differently by the national accident insurance, by a group of health insurances, by different private (accident) insurances, by the federal military insurance, by federal disabilities insurance, by the federal narcotic control, by groups of manufacturers, by each wholesaler, to name a few! In short, the doctor had to manage many different identification codes when corresponding and invoicing each of these organisations. With this lack of standardisation, accuracy was impossible and efficiencies in healthcare processes were nonexistent. The visionaries understood that new processes would only be possible if a robust, accurate and scalable identification system was provided by a neutral source for all of the Swiss healthcare industry.

Now, for nearly 30 years, this solution enabled by the GS1 Global Location Number (GLN) has been in place. Global Location Numbers support the needed identification system by uniquely identifying each of the actors and their locations. The GLN has proven to be the “right choice” in standardising and simplifying the identification of all stakeholders, offering significant benefits for the Swiss healthcare system. By choosing the GS1 GLN as the global identification key, the visionaries have strengthened the use of GS1 standards in the healthcare industry and helped stakeholders understand how globally unique identification can link master data and improve logistical and clinical processes.