Data synchronisation in Dutch Healthcare

Product data of healthcare products is not yet effectively and efficiently transferred from the data source to the data recipient in the Dutch healthcare sector. This causes errors in the supply chain. These errors could be prevented by participating in the Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN). In this thesis we research the impact of the GDSN on the Dutch healthcare supply chain. First the development of data synchronisation in the healthcare sector is studied. Then a link between the healthcare sector and the retail sectors is made, where the GDSN already has been used for years. We look at the logistic healthcare processes concerned with product data, and we determine the inefficiencies. Finally the costs and benefits of the GDSN implementation will be analyzed. Several interviews with relevant persons were conducted to acquire useful data. The results show that the GDSN can be used profitably in the healthcare sector. The supply chain partners using the GDSN will work more efficiently, because of accurate and up-to-date data. The largest direct benefit is the elimination of product number errors on invoices. This benefit will save the hospitals as well as the suppliers a lot of corrective work. The largest indirect benefit will be the standardized barcode on every medical product in the GDSN. With the use of standardized data provided by the GDSN more efficiency projects could be started, like an automated recall process or an automated ordering process. The efficiency projects that use the accurate data are recommended for future research.