The Unique Device Identifier (UDI) is a system used to mark and identify medical devices within the healthcare supply chain. A UDI is a unique alphanumeric code that is assigned to a medical device, which typically consists of two parts: a device identifier (DI) and a production identifier (PI).
The DI is a mandatory, static number that uniquely identifies the device model, while the PI is a dynamic portion that can include information such as the lot or batch number, the serial number, the expiration date, and the date of manufacture of the device.
This system ensures that each device can be precisely identified and tracked from manufacturing through distribution to patient use.
The UDI system allows for the precise identification of medical devices, helps in the effective management of recalls, improves adverse event reporting, and supports better inventory management.
Implementing UDI across healthcare settings enhances the ability to track device usage in electronic health records (EHRs), contributing to more informed clinical decision-making and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
The AccessGUDID database, searchable for device identification information including specific UDIs, is accessible to everyone.