The Committee for Healthcare eStandards (CHes)

The Committee for Healthcare eStandards (CHeS) was formed in 2000 as a collaborative of organizations dedicated to promoting the adoption and use of open data standards in the healthcare industry. In 2008, CHeS joined and became part of HSCA, continuing its role as a leading advocate for the promotion of data standards within the healthcare supply chain.

CHeS has endorsed the adoption of the GS1 standards now being incorporated in the healthcare supply chain including the Global Location Number™ (GLN™), the Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®), and the use of the Global Data Synchronization Network® (GDSN®). CHeS also endorses the use of the United Nations Standards Products and Services Code® (UNSPSC®).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Committee for Healthcare eStandards (CHeS) is to provide leadership to the healthcare industry by improving accuracy, efficiency, and safety through the application of standards in the healthcare supply chain.

Vision

The vision of CHeS is to accelerate the adoption, implementation and active usage of industry-wide data standards for improving efficiencies throughout the healthcare supply chain.

In support of the CHeS mission and vision, the Committee focuses on the following goals:

• Serve as one united GPO voice on matters of healthcare supply chain standards and process improvements.
• Provide an open and neutral forum for industry-wide collaborative approach for healthcare supply chain participants.
• Endorse GS1 Healthcare standards to help accelerate industry-wide deployment of the standards and associated processes throughout the healthcare supply chain.
• Develop and recommend best practices where industry-wide standards could improve efficiencies throughout the healthcare supply chain.
• Define and lead in the development of new standards where existing standards or their absence are not meeting industry needs.

Initiatives
Total Visibility Project – a data synchronization best practice for product information that will improve patient safety and efficiency in the healthcare supply chain

It Just Takes One – an initiative to increase the readiness of healthcare providers to use GLNs (global locator numbers) in supply chain transactions