Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan YM, Choy WK, Law WY, Lau KL, Lo YS, Sin WS, Chong YY , Ching KC, Cheng MY
Affiliation :
Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
Health related information definitely important for all patients. We also concern how easy to get access to the health information. By making use of the Quick Response (QR) code, patient can retrieve the most relevant, the desirable and the updated health care information on the web by scanning the QR code.
Objectives :
(1) To deliver the health educational materials effectively
(2) To enhance the convenience of accessing health educational materials at anytime and anywhere with network coverage
(3) To promote the diversity of health education delivery
(4) To enhance cost-effectiveness and environmental protection
Methodology :
(1) Patient information pamphlet:
Our QR Code Team had selected and updated several health information and education pamphlets, generated QR code for each pamphlets and printed out as stickers which was affixed on the Nursing Discharge Summary (NDS)
(2) Patient admission information:
On every admission, all patients received plenty of relevant information by Admission Office in paper format including admission information, electronic health record sharing system (eHRSS), patient charter and information sheet to patients’ relative / visitors for handling of food brought into hospital. The QR code card of the patient admission information was then generated and displayed on every patient’s locker. Patients could access all the information easily. Thus, all the information in paper formats were sent back to the admission office for reuse.
Result & Outcome :
(1) Patient information pamphlet:
The pilot program was launched in November, 2019. Five orthopaedic related health education pamphlets including nursing care on neck collar, external fixator, halo ring and halo jacket, gout and warfarin diet information were updated and uploaded. The QR code sticker was printed on the NDS to patients according to their health needs. The amount of stickers distributed and the frequency of the QR code scanned are being counted and recorded for evaluation. The result will be available in June 2020.
(2) Patient admission information:
From July 2019 to December 2019, there were total 2,552 in-patients’ admission to O&T, AHNH. The total number of hard copy sets being returned was 1,490. The return rate was 58.4%. Total number of papers could be reused is 7,450.
Conclusion:
Patients could simply use their smartphone to get access to the information quickly at anytime and anywhere with network coverage. Patients could also save the QR code or the link for subsequent use or review. Besides, QR code can improve the cost-effectiveness and also environmental protection to our community.
