Part Number Standards

Overview

The GHX part number recommendation process provides two distinct types of part numbers for each item:

  • Vendor part number

  • Manufacturer part number

Every item in our system is associated with both part numbers for accuracy and ease of use.

Our goal is to help create frictionless transactions by providing accurate, EDI-compliant part numbers. GHX gets part numbers from suppliers and supplier publications.

GHX works with suppliers who publish part numbers in multiple formats. This helps us to identify and recommend part numbers that adhere to the supplier’s preferred EDI format for EDI transactions.

By following these standards and maintaining regular communication with suppliers, we make sure that our part number recommendations are accurate and practical.

Regular Supplier Communication

We maintain regular communication with suppliers to understand their preferences and make sure that our part numbers align with their expectations and provide the most accurate part numbers to our customers. This includes:

  • Preferred formatting: Some suppliers have part numbers without punctuation, while others provide multiple formats.

  • Regular updates: We make sure that our system is regularly updated to reflect the latest preferences and formats provided by suppliers to reduce potential delays in processing.

Why Supplier-Provided Part Numbers May Differ

Suppliers publish part numbers in different formats, such as sometimes publishing part numbers with punctuation on the packaging to make it easier for clinicians. However, the punctuation should be removed for EDI. GHX reconciles differences like these to create a standard format.

Source Data Inconsistencies

  • Manufacturer and supplier data: The primary challenge stems from inconsistencies in the data provided by manufacturers and suppliers. Different sources may use different formats or conventions, leading to discrepancies.

  • Vendor part numbers (VP#): These are typically EDI-centric part numbers provided by suppliers for the purpose of electronic transactions.

  • Manufacturer part numbers (MP#): These are often the part numbers found on packaging. GHX provides the preferred EDI part number for the supplier part number and the manufacturer part number.

Intelligent Business Rules and EDI Standards

Purchase orders (POs) across the GHX exchange may contain incorrect information, such as bad part numbers. Suppliers publish their catalogs directly to GHX to correct these issues across the exchange. Our recommendations are driven by these supplier updates and EDI standards.

  • Supplier catalogs: We source part numbers primarily from supplier catalogs, which are designed to support electronic transactions. These catalogs are EDI-centric, making sure that the part numbers provided are ready for automated processing. All Source is an example.

  • GPO contracts and other sources: While supplier catalogs are our primary source, we also validate part numbers against GPO contracts and other publications to ensure accuracy.

  • Consistency and survivorship rules: We follow strict survivorship rules, prioritizing the highest quality sources to ensure the most accurate and reliable part numbers.

Best Practices

  • Vendor part numbers: GHX recommends using the EDI-compliant supplier part numbers to reduce transaction errors.

  • Manufacturer part numbers: GHX provides manufacturer part numbers as published by the manufacturer. Some suppliers support multiple formats, and the format they provide to GHX may not be the same as what is provided on the physical packaging.