Authors (including presenting author) :
Ho KWE, Chan SWA, Lui KY
Affiliation :
Ward S11B, M&G, UCH
Introduction :
In daily ward operations, nurses execute quality-nursing cares based on up-to-date clinical guidelines. Printed out guidelines requires manual update in regular interval & be stored in document files. Nurses encounter difficulties in accessing most up-to-date files and searching particular files, in which, it diminished work efficiency. Indeed, large amount of papers are used and it is not environmental friendly. QR code generation for clinical guidelines not only enhance nurses’ work efficiency but also promote a paperless working environment.
Objectives :
1. To enhance nurses’ accessibility to clinical guidelines
2. To promote paperless working environment
Methodology :
Clinical guidelines related to bedside procedures, extracted from HAHO, were reviewed by UCH Ward 11B working group. The working group is formed by Ward Manager, APN and a senior RN. Up-to-date guidelines were reviewed. Revision of guidelines is done and five bedside procedures, most frequently encountered in Medical & Geriatric Ward unit were selected, including the procedures of inserting chest drain, pleural and abdominal paracentesis, lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspiration, placed on the procedure trolley. Five QR codes are designed for the content of a list out of medical equipment in a specific bedside procedure; the pre- and post-nursing cares are also included in the content. The five QR codes are placed in bedside procedure trolley, to ensure nurses could access for the information, every time whenever bedside procedure is needed to be done.
Result & Outcome :
Nursing colleagues reported the implementation of QR code for clinical guidelines is user friendly and easy to manipulate. The satisfactory level among nursing staff is high as the implementation of QR code has enhanced efficiency for the work of common beside procedures. The reminder in clinical guidelines has also improved nursing care standard and prevent complications during the bedside procedures. The use of QR codes create paperless working environment and enhance the accessibility for clinical guidelines. Nurses need not to search for particular part in a guideline with flipping papers but can search for keywords after scanning the QR code. The generated QR codes are stored in a hospital intranet, to create a clinical guideline library for enhancing nurses’ accessibility for different guidelines.
