HIBC

HIBC is a barcode standard used specifically in the health industry, as directed by the HIBCC organization. This standard supports composite bar codes and supports the use of multiple items such as item codes, quantity, and a batch number in a single barcode.

Tip

Visit HIBCC website for more information about the standard.

About group identifies the function.

  • Name: function ID, initially defined by the function type.

  • Description: function's purpose and role as defined by the user.

Structure group selects standard version and one of the three available HIBC barcode Types:

  • Version: HIBC version selector. Labels which include legacy HIBC data encoding are opened using version 2.5. If creating a new label, encoding works depending on the selected HIBC version – 2.5 or 2.6.

  • Type: data structure type selector.

    • Primary: mandatory fixed data structure which identifies the item and its supplier.

    • Secondary: optional data structure which is indicated using the "/" delimiter. It may have a variable (yet predefined) structure to contain serial or batch numbers, quantity, and expiration date.

      • Primary definition: mandatory element when defining the Secondary data structure. The three Primary data fields of a HIBC function must be added to the Secondary data structure. Primary definition selects the appropriate existing HIBC function.

    • Concatenated: merges the first two structure types into a single data structure.

Definition group defines the content of HIBC barcode fields:

Primary data structure fields:

  • Labeler ID code (LIC): field assigned and maintained by the HIBCC. The first character of this field is always an alphabetic character. The LIC may identify a labeler to the point of separate subsidiaries and divisions within a parent organization.

  • Product or Catalog...: compressed product or catalog number.

  • Unit of Measure...: numeric representation of packaging level (0 to 9) with 0 being the lowest level or “unit-of-use”.

Example 41. Example:

A company might pack unit-of-use items in a box, boxes in a carton, and cartons in a case. One way of labeling would be, unit-of-use = 0; Box = 1; Carton = 3; and Case = 5.

Secondary data structure fields:

  • Quantity: two- or five-digit field describing the number of units-of-use included in the package identified by the bar code label.

  • Date format: preferred date format to be used with a HIBC label. If no date should be included on a label, select one of the formats that contain "No date".

  • Date: displays the present date.

  • Lot/Batch: field can be alphanumeric and may vary in length to up to a maximum of 18 characters. If the field is not required, it should be left empty.

  • Serial number: field can be alphanumeric and may vary in length to up to a maximum of 18 characters. If the field is not required, it should be left empty.

  • Production date: Data Identifier formatted as YYYYMMDD.