What is GMDN

GMDN - the standard for naming and grouping medical devices.

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The Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) is a list of generic names used to identify all medical device products. Such products include those used in the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease or injury in humans.

The main purpose of the GMDN is to provide health authorities and regulators, health care providers, manufacturers and others with a naming system that can be used to exchange medical device information and support patient safety.

The GMDN is used for:

• Data exchange between manufacturers, regulators and healthcare authorities
• Exchange of post-market vigilance information
• Supporting inventory control in hospitals
• Purchasing and supply chain management

Information in the form of a 5 digit numeric GMDN Code is cross-referenced to a precisely defined Term Name and Definition, as seen in this example:

• GMDN Term Name: Scalpel, single-use
• GMDN Code: 47569
• GMDN Definition: A sterile, hand-held, manual surgical instrument constructed as a one-piece handle and scalpel blade (not an exchangeable component) used by the operator to manually cut or dissect tissue. The blade is typically made of high-grade stainless steel alloy or carbon steel and the handle is often made of plastic. This is a single-use device.

Access to the GMDN Database is priced according to organization size. Users can register for access, apply for term changes and pay on-line. For more information see Membership.

How does it work?

To get the GMDN Codes for your product follow these three easy steps:

1. Join the GMDN Agency online
2. Use our powerful search tools to find the right GMDN Term for each of your devices.
3. Reveal the GMDN Code and give it to your customer.

What could be simpler than that!