Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng SY(1), Tang WK(1), Wong CL(1), Ng YB(1), Tsang WY(1), Sim TC(1), Sha KY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Medical & Geriatric, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Cross-infection with flu can cause hospital jam and eventually lead to emergency room shut down. Therefore, it is important for patients and their families to access the latest flu information, A & E waiting time, which for better use of health care services. Currently, people can only obtain real-time relevant information through the Hospital Authority (HA) Winter Surge website. Promotion of how to visit this HA website is however a paucity. As a result, it is difficult for patients to obtain useful information from the website.
Objectives :
Generated a QR (quick response) code can streamline the connection to the HA website, enables patients to access Winter Surge information easily, and helps make better use of community medical services and self-care management. In addition, providing instant information through a QR code can increase the time efficiency and cost associated with each patient.
Methodology :
The service was implemented in 14 medical wards of UCH from January 7, 2019 to March 28, 2019. Senior flu patients over 60 years old (except old age home residents) will receive a QR code printed a memo before leaving the hospital. The nurse will introduce the function of this QR code, which can link the user to the Hospital Authority Winter Surge Website: www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=242157&Lang=ENG&Dimension=100&Parent_ID=10000.
Result & Outcome :
245 patients were recruited. About 18% of the recipients said that they did not know how to obtain health information from the HA website before. Pre & Post surveys have shown that the increased from 64%(29%) to 222(99.5%) of recipients has confidence in how to obtain Winter Surge information from the HA website. 201(82%) patients or their relatives stated that using a QR code can easily and effectively link to the HA website, thereby helping to obtain useful information such as AED waiting time. In addition, they will share the QR code with others to promote the HA website service through the internet social platform Conclusion: The results show that QR codes can streamline workflows to connect to HA websites. As a result, it helps to effectively convey the useful information from the HA website to patients and their relatives.
