Canada: Print KitCheck Item Tags

One tag must be printed for each kit and one tag (label or foam-backed) must be applied to every item in every kit. Tags can be printed or associated (for foam-backed tags) through the Tags drop-down menu on the toolbar. Each tag has a unique 24-character serial number called an Electronic Product Code (EPC). The EPC can be used for troubleshooting if any issues arise with tags. 

Item Tags

To print item tags, select the Tags drop-down menu and choose Print Item Tags. Use the handheld barcode scanner to scan the DIN or Product ID barcode on the item. If a barcode does not exist, enter the unique number associated with the item manually. In some cases, a unique number may not exist. If so, it will be necessary to create a number that will always be used to identify items of that type.

When you scan an item, KitCheck will look up items that match that DIN or identifying number in the Medi-Span database. If the item is already added to the hospital’s electronic formulary, a bookmark icon displays next to the item. 

Create Custom Formulary Items

If the item you are tagging is not included in the existing formulary list, click on Not in list? Click here to add it manually. This occurs if the item is not in the Medi-Span database (such as a medication compounded in-house) or if the item has a non-compliant barcode. To manually add an item you must provide the following information:

• Manufacturer’s Name
• DIN/Product ID
• Item Name
• Item Strength
• Item Strength Unit of Measure
• Package Size
• Package Size Unit of Measure
• Package Quantity
• Package Description
• Dictionary Type
• Tag Type (if applicable)
• Expiring Soon (if applicable)
• Alternate Expirations (if applicable)

You must enter the information exactly as it appears on the manufacturer label (this includes all hyphens, dashes, uppercase letters, etc.). Item strength should be listed as it appears on the vial (e.g., 5mg/10mL, 20mg/mL, 2%, or 1:200,000). 

Select Tag Type

For most items, you can leave the selection as the pre-checked Normal (from printer). If your item has a foil lining (such as some Dopamine bags) and your pharmacy stocks foam-backed tags in addition to regular KitCheck bags, select Foil-lined Bag. When your information entry is complete, select Next. This commits the item to the system for use in the future. If your item is a refrigerated or multi-dose item, please refer to the Refrigerated Items section or Multi-Dose Items section. 

After the item type is selected, a lot number, and expiration date must be associated with the item. The lot number and expiration fields utilize a double-blind entry system to ensure all data is correctly entered and free of typos and errors. If the system has not previously seen this lot number, it requires a dual, matching entry to proceed. If the system has previously seen this lot number, it only requires the manual entry of an expiration date. The system then checks that the expiration date matches the previous expiration date entry.

If the manufacturer’s expiration date only specifies month and year, use the last day of the given month (e.g., May 2015 would be entered as May 31, 2015). When entering lot numbers, please take great care in distinguishing between the numerical digit 0 and the letter O; and lowercase L, capital I, and numerical digit 1. Dashes must also be entered if present. 

If the lot number and expiration fields do not match, you may request an expiration date correction from your manager. Have a manager follow these steps to manually change the expiration date.

Print Tags

After the DIN, lot number and expiration date have been entered, the user inputs the quantity of tags needed. If your hospital uses multiple KitCheck printers, use the drop-down printer menu to change your printing destination. A preview of the tag displays on the right side of the screen.

KitCheck has two types of normal tags in distribution: vertical and horizontal orientations. Both types of tags display the same printed information and are applied to items in the same fashion. The horizontal tag is displayed in the image below.