Global Location Number (GLN)
A GS1 standard identifier uniquely designating a physical location, legal entity, or functional unit within a supply chain, such as a hospital department or shipping dock. In healthcare it enables accurate ordering, delivery, and contract administration for medical products.
What is a Global Location Number (GLN)?
A Global Location Number (GLN) is a GS1 standard identifier that uniquely designates a specific location, legal entity, or functional unit within a supply chain. It can point to anything from a corporate entity to a particular hospital department, storeroom, or receiving dock.
By assigning each location a standardized, unambiguous number, the GLN lets trading partners refer to the same place in exactly the same way across systems. This consistency is foundational to accurate electronic ordering and delivery.
How is a GLN used in healthcare supply chains?
In healthcare, GLNs enable precise ordering, shipping, receiving, and contract administration by tying transactions to specific, verified locations. They reduce errors that arise when facilities, departments, or pricing tiers are identified inconsistently.
For providers such as surgery centers, accurate GLN data helps ensure that contract pricing applies correctly and that products are delivered to the right place. This supports cleaner procurement and fewer supply-chain discrepancies.
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