CHICAGO – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Sanofi Pasteur have partnered to ensure that pediatric offices nationwide have access to a new vaccine packaging technology that will capture more information in a simple two-dimensional scan than was possible with a standard linear barcode.
The new technology, which launched in December 2011, enables information such as lot numbers and expiration dates to be gleaned from barcodes, and can be used in conjunction with electronic medical records. It is designed to reduce medical errors and help healthcare providers document vaccine information in patient records with greater accuracy.
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"The 2D barcode technology is available because of the work by a collaborative group of stakeholders and the forward thinking of many AAP members," said Edward Zissman, MD, co-chair of the AAP Vaccine Barcoding project. "Through the use of this technology, healthcare professionals can enhance the level of care they provide, increase office efficiency and better manage product inventory."
The technology will first be introduced on two Sanofi Pasteur vaccines – pediatric Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed (DT) vaccine, and Menactra Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y, and W-135) Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate vaccine. Other vaccine manufacturers are expected to begin launching products with 2D barcodes later in the year.
"There is a clear need for a system to record product information with a higher level of speed and accuracy, and we aim to address this need with the 2D barcode technology on our vaccines," said Chad Hoover, vice president and chief commercial officer at Sanofi Pasteur U.S. "As an industry leader and healthcare partner, Sanofi Pasteur is pleased to be the first vaccine manufacturer to bring this innovative technology to providers offices."
[See also: Barcoding with eMAR tech shown to boost safety.]
Sanofi Pasteur will institute a tiered approach to the 2D barcode product introduction to ensure supply is not affected by the new packaging technology. The AAP has developed a clinical guidance for physicians to help practices use 2D barcoding with their EMR or state immunization information system (registry).
In September 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will launch an eight-month pilot project designed to assess the challenges and determine best practices for labeling and tracking vaccines using 2D barcodes.
The pilot will test the implementation of 2D barcodes on selected vaccines, and evaluate and document the impact of 2D barcoding on manufacturers, immunizers and reporting systems. Participants in the pilot will receive scanning devices, software and training. The pilot also will address implementation opportunities with electronic medical records and state immunization information systems.
The project is enrolling one to three manufacturers,10 states/grantees and 300 public, private and commercial immunizers.Those interested in participating should e-mail 2Dbarcodepilotinfo@CDC.gov. The team is looking for participants from Alaska, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New York City, Ohio, Oregon and Washington, who will report to their respective state/grantee registries.
