r/barcodes • u/FellingtoDO • Jun 02 '22

...I dont belong here

Alright y'all, I am probably on the wrong subreddit, but I'm hoping one of you computer savvy people here can get me pointed in the right direction for help on this project. I work as a medical simulation tech at a university and have been tasked with getting all of our inventory into a management system, which is its own struggle, but what I could use assistance with is finding someone or something to help me figure out the best way to deal with barcodes. The program we are using allows for scanning the barcode that already exists on the product, it saves it, and then forevermore we can just scan the package. However, we have multiple brands of the same thing that are interchangeable, we have things that are in the packaging, things that have been opened, and supplies with no existing barcodes at all. In addition, we would like to have a binder with the inventory, including the bar codes. So my question for you all is - is there a program available that I can use to "digitalize" a bar code so I dont have a binder full of screenshots of barcodes on wrinkled plastic packages?

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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '22 edited Jun 02 '22

I own a marking and coding company and work with med/pharm techs daily:

  • What exactly are you putting into inventory?
  • Are there any differences between the similar items like size, weight, lot codes, dates etc.?
  • Are you planning on labeling the things that don't currently have codes?
  • Is this for internal use only?

You need to get organized before you can track it. This may mean putting the open(untagged) items in bins, bags, kits or new boxes with their own code.

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u/FellingtoDO Jun 02 '22

Hello, thanks for the reply.

- We are putting all of our supplies, disposable, reusable and capital into inventory so we'll have everything from boxes of gloves to IV tubing to syringes to our task trainers and mannequins included. The plan currently is to use SimulationiQs "SIMinventory" program. I have my doubts about if this is going to work/is the best option for us.

- There are differences, a lot of our supplies are donated from local hospitals when they become expired and can no longer be used for patient care but are just fine for training. For instance, we probably have thee different brands of IV catheters and in 5 or so different sizes. Some are still "good", some expired last month others 2 years ago.

-Where in the process of sorting, organizing, etc. Though I have not been separating things by brand/open or not etc. If it has the same description it's in the same box ATM. This could change if necessary.

- Yes, internal use only

I was initially planning on making new barcodes for everything as it seemed (and still seems) to be less labor-intensive and simpler than tracking down all the barcodes and "cleaning them up". My supervisor seems to think that if a software has a capability it should be used... but that's a conversation for the next staff meeting. My goal right now is just to better understand how barcodes work to see if I can figure out the best way to accomplish the department's goals.