The integration of QR Codes in healthcare has significantly enhanced hospital operations. Numerous hospitals are already utilizing this technology for patient tracking, drug safety, and various other applications.
Start 14 Day Free trialThe use of QR Codes in healthcare offers a robust solution to enhance communication, transparency, and information exchange among healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients. The medical sector has gradually adopted technology to improve patient care, streamline operations, and shift away from traditional data management methods.
Several hospitals are already taking advantage of QR Codes. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies have started incorporating QR Codes on medications to build trust with their patients. Recent patient engagement statistics reveal that 75% of patients feel that providers who utilize mobile technology offer a faster and more convenient experience. QR Codes play a significant role in this mobile engagement.
Here are some ways to implement QR Codes in healthcare:
Traditionally, healthcare systems have been built as isolated architectures. Patient data is often not uniform across storage systems, and sometimes, it may not exist in another department.
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, a platform should be accessible to reveal a patient’s medical record to all parties involved. Patient identity management is therefore essential for any healthcare system.
Incorrect identification can lead to improper diagnoses, risking patients with medication errors, and in some cases, even death. QR Codes can be crucial in helping healthcare providers accurately track patients throughout their care journey. QR Codes can be included in the patient’s medical bracelet and their medical history datasheet to access the patient’s information.
From admission to discharge, medical prescriptions to previous health history, all patient information can be accessed by doctors and caretakers using QR Codes to provide prompt service.
The healthcare system hasn’t heavily invested in marketing. Although many hospitals claim their services aren’t a business, they inevitably are. Like any other marketing campaign, QR Codes are ideal for the healthcare marketing field as well. Healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies can use QR Codes to promote their services and increase awareness simultaneously.
For example, QR Codes can be included on leaflets, brochures, and bills that are handed out to visitors and patients. Scanning these QR Codes can direct them to a landing page showcasing the hospital’s infrastructure, cleanliness, success stories, and other patient treatment methods.
The healthcare sector is highly valued in the private equity market. With each year setting new records for private equity deals, it is crucial to engage in marketing efforts; QR Codes can significantly increase patient visits, profits, and reputation. Implementing strategies from healthcare digital marketing can further enhance the visibility and reach of healthcare services, leveraging modern tools and techniques for better patient engagement.
The healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies work diligently to maintain authenticity and eliminate undetected items in drug manufacturing. Drug counterfeiting is a global threat.
QR Codes in healthcare for drug safety can significantly help in combating drug counterfeiting and ensuring the correct administration of medication to patients. Medicine packages now feature QR Codes for greater transparency about the manufacturing process, expiry dates, and drug contents.
QR Codes on medications can also aid caregivers in administering medication. These codes can alert caregivers about the exact dosage, timing, and procedure for administering the medicine, thereby saving time and reducing errors.
Some countries have implemented ingestible QR Codes on medicines to fight drug counterfeiting. These 3D ingestible QR Codes can be scanned before consumption to verify the drug's composition and authenticity. Additionally, some universities have proposed ingestible paper-like medicine with QR Codes to simplify the medication consumption process.
Hospitals and medical colleges heavily rely on their equipment. The proper functioning of medical equipment is crucial for delivering effective care. With the wide variety of medical equipment in use, QR Codes can be deployed to ensure proper functioning.
Important information regarding the equipment can be linked to a landing page accessible by scanning the QR Code. Healthcare professionals and operators can use a smartphone or an app to scan the QR Code to access manuals, operating instructions, and setup videos for any equipment.
If the manuals are in PDF format, you can even create a QR Code that links to the PDF and embed it on the packaging. QR Codes on medical equipment enable caregivers to quickly learn about the equipment, reducing the need to read lengthy and often incomprehensible manuals.
Furthermore, these QR Codes can also alert healthcare officials in case of malfunctions or replacements in a seamless manner.
Often, patients do not receive the correct treatment for their condition because caregivers are not adequately informed. Each year, over 400,000 people die due to medical errors. Accurate information about a patient’s health condition is crucial for doctors and healthcare providers, especially for first responders.
QR Codes in healthcare for verifying authenticity are convenient, time-saving, and beneficial. In fact, 38% of smartphone users in the USA consider mobile devices essential for accessing health information.
A study by the Family Caregiver Alliance found that uncoordinated care patients accounted for 46% of drug costs, 32% of medical costs, and 36% of total costs. On average, uncoordinated patient care costs were 75% higher than those of patients with coordinated care.
QR Codes are the right tool for obtaining a patient’s medical history to ensure authenticity. Medical bracelets, tags, and folders with embedded QR Codes provide instant and convenient access for caregivers. Many Medicare plans are now incorporating outsourced services to effectively manage these technologies.
As mentioned earlier, QR Codes in healthcare can be highly beneficial for various purposes. One such use is tracking a patient’s health status. In cases where the patient is advised not to leave their home due to being a potential threat to the community, QR Codes can be an effective tool to alert their doctors about their health status.
For instance, color-coded QR Codes, also known as health codes, have been deployed to monitor patients during health crises. These health codes can alert authorities about a patient's health status and potential risk of spreading infections.
This initiative has proven to be highly effective in preventing the further spread of deadly viruses.
QR Codes can be used for daily health tracking, medication management, special dietary instructions, and additional required tests.
Medical institutions and hospitals manage numerous assets such as tools, medical samples, tests, and equipment. The healthcare sector particularly needs efficient asset