Last month, ISMP surveyed MSOS members on scanning the 2D matrix barcodes on heparin and saline flush syringes. Thank you to all who replied! It was apparent from the results that many organizations are having issues with these barcodes.

We are now working with FDA to investigate the reported difficulties and are looking for 3-4 volunteers from different facilities who use Cerner, Meditech, Epic, or Allscripts, (or other EHRs) to assist with the investigation. Your time commitment would be very minimal and include email communication with perhaps some barcode scan testing.

If you would be interested in assisting ISMP (and FDA) with this work, please email Mike or me at mcohen@ismp.org or cmichalek@ismp.org

ISMP Medication Safety Alert! June 6, 2019
Many practitioners are surprised to learn that prefilled IV flush syringes (i.e., sodium chloride, heparin) are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as devices, not drugs. FDA has recently established a unique device identification system for medical devices sold in the US.
As a result, the label of devices, including IV flush syringes, will include a unique device identifier(UDI) so the items can be recognized from the point of manufacture, to the distributor, and on to users and patients. For prefilled flush syringes, a 2D data matrix barcode captures this UDI. Earlier this year, companies that make prefilled IV flush syringes started adding the 2Dbarcode to their products. We have received some early feedback from users but would like to know more about your experiences with flush syringes that have the new UDI-containing 2D barcodes.

Thank you!!

Christina Michalek
Medication Safety Specialist
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

Administrative Coordinator
Medication Safety Officers Society