In Episode 6 of the Value Analysis Expert Series, Jenell Robinson, Terri Nelson, and Barbara Strain focused on UDIs, or unique device identifiers. At first glance, UDIs can feel like a technical detail. But the conversation reminded me that they are actually a foundation for how hospitals make credible decisions about products.

UDIs do more than track devices. They connect products to outcomes, costs, and processes in a way that allows value analysis teams to see what is really happening. They help hospitals respond quickly to recalls, compare products with clarity, and measure adoption with fewer blind spots. For suppliers, this means that value is easier to demonstrate when you can align your story to data that the hospital already trusts.

One of the challenges raised in the discussion was data silos. Hospitals have purchasing data, quality data, inpatient data, and outpatient data, often in separate systems. UDIs do not solve every issue, but they provide a common language to link those silos together. That creates opportunities for more meaningful evaluations and, ultimately, better decisions.

The biggest takeaway for me is that UDIs make it possible to put objectivity at the center of value analysis. Instead of debating opinions, both suppliers and providers can look at the same evidence and move forward with confidence. For our medtech partners, that means thinking ahead about how UDIs fit into your evaluation story and how they can help demonstrate outcomes that matter most.

At TCX, we see UDIs as one of the practical tools that move healthcare innovation from concept to adoption. Episode 6 was a reminder that the details matter, and when used well, UDIs can help speed trust, reduce friction, and keep the focus on patient care.