Creating HIBC Barcodes: A Comprehensive Guide for Health Industry Compliance

The Health Industry Business Communications Council (HIBCC) provides guidelines and standards for barcodes used in the healthcare industry. Understanding these standards is crucial for ensuring compliance and accurate data communication.

Understanding HIBC Barcodes

HIBC stands for Health Industry Bar Code. These barcodes are specifically designed to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. They can carry various types of data, such as product information, patient identification, and unique device identifiers.

Bar Code Types and Formats

There are various types of barcodes that can be used in the health industry, including UPCA, ITF-14, and Code128. Each barcode type has its own format and is used for different purposes. However, the illustrations provided in the HIBCC publications may be difficult to distinguish, making it challenging to identify the differences between these types.

For accurate identification and understanding of HIBC barcodes, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific types and their formats:

UPCA (Universal Product Code A): This is a standard barcode used for product identification in retail and healthcare. ITF-14 (Interleaved Two of Five): This barcode is used for item-level identification and is often used for tracking. Code128: This barcode is particularly useful in the health industry due to its space efficiency and versatility in encoding alphanumeric data.

Compliance with HIBC Standards

To create HIBC barcodes that meet industry standards, it is crucial to understand the specific data requirements. The Health Industry Business Communications Council (Safer Standards) provides detailed background information and guidelines for compliance.

For comprehensive information on HIBC barcodes, visit the following link. Additionally, the Health Industry Bar Code Standards - HIBCC ~ An ANSI Accredited Organization offers critical information on the standards and requirements for HIBC barcodes.

Creating HIBC Barcode Structures

To ensure that your HIBC barcodes meet the necessary requirements, it is recommended to use the HIBCC SLS Data Structure Formatter. This tool allows you to create barcodes that include essential information such as Universal Product Number (UPN) and Unique Device Identifier (UDI).

By using the HIBCC SLS Data Structure Formatter, you can generate barcodes that align with industry standards. The generated barcode can be used to test various bar code generators available in the market. Simply create a barcode image using the formatter and compare it with the output from the generator you are testing. Verify that the pattern of bars and spaces matches identically.

Choosing the Correct Barcode Format

When creating barcodes for the health industry, you have the option to use either Code39 or Code128. Code128 is typically recommended due to its space efficiency and versatility in encoding alphanumeric data. However, if your product is sold to retail markets, you should look into the GS1 US organization for guidance.

Additional Resources

For further guidance, visit the following resources:

GS1 Standards in Healthcare Resources for Understanding GS1 System of Standards - GS1 US GS1 Specifications (PDF)

By following these guidelines and utilizing the available resources, you can ensure that your HIBC barcodes comply with industry standards and meet the needs of your healthcare partners.

Conclusion

Creating HIBC barcodes is a crucial aspect of ensuring compliance in the healthcare industry. By understanding the types of barcodes, the specific data requirements, and the resources available, you can generate barcodes that meet the necessary standards and provide accurate data communication.

Keywords

HIBC barcode Health Industry Bar Code Standards