INTRODUCTION
The Quick Response (QR) codes technology is attracting diverse applications in the medical field. According to SecTech, Ślęzak & FGIT (2009), introduction of any new technology is characterized with the opportunities and some drawbacks. This presents a controversy on whether we should adopt QR Codes technology in healthcare or not. It is apparent that if a technology presents more benefits than disadvantages, then its adoption is justified. Furthermore, Sewell & Thede (2013) endorses the significance of embracing modern technology by noting that technology defines the future of healthcare. In this context, the paper explores the subject of QR technology from diverse perspectives to aid in answering the question “We should but should we.” Particularly, the paper develops from a scenario where my next-door elderly neighbor needs to know about this new fangled technology. The paper supports the significance of adopting this technology by considering that QR codes can save a life.
QR AND HEALTH CARE
The Quick Response (QR) codes highlight a modern technology that is profoundly infiltrating in the corporate world and other institutions. The technology entails the use of QR codes that encode for particular data that can easily be scanned and displayed for the user. The barcodes have the potential of encoding information such as address, website addresses, social links and other information. This technology has proved essentially relevance in the medical field. When utilized in the healthcare, QR codes provide an array of information that is easily decoded using scanners and other software. Presently, QR codes are utilized in the medical field for services such as mammogram appointments, online hospital tours, hospital marketing, patient education and facility and personal contacts among others.
Advantages of QR codes
Adoption of QR codes in the medical field has introduced various benefits to service providers and users, which has enhanced efficiency in the healthcare. Initially, adoption of this technology has provided people with an effective model through which they can review the services that are offered in the hospitals. Furthermore, QR codes are capable of presenting informative videos on the modern medical technologies and other important healthcare facilities and clinics. In some instances, healthcare providers load health tips into a QR codes such that when scanned they link the user to podcasts, blogs, videos and other health related information. This has enhanced efficiency in healthcare by providing an immediate connection between the health provider and patient (Colling & York, 2009). The technology has also been helpful particularly to patients who have to wear medical bracelets. With the utilization of this technology, emergency personnel can instantly scan the QR code on the medical bracelets to learn important health information of the patient such as allergies, blood type, DNRs and emergency contact among others. This has in return improved diagnosis and management of patients conditions particularly during emergencies.
Disadvantages of QR codes
Besides the numerous advantages attached to the QR codes, the technology presents various disadvantages. Initially, the technology may result to serious inconveniences in a situation where the coded information is wrong or misleading. The QR codes entirely operate on a computer-based platform. In this context, the technology faces a challenge of GIGO that is common in systems or technologies that lack rational reasoning. This is because the information that can be decoded from such a system is entirely defined by what was earlier feed to model. Accordingly, the QR codes will automatically produce misleading information to the users if the data feed to the system was wrong.
Legal Concerns
The legal concerns characterizing this technology include security and privacy challenges. For instance, a security concern emerges the utilization of this technology creates a situation where one’s information can be accessed easily even by the unauthorized parties which is detrimental. The QR technology attracts serious legal concerns especially when one considers the provisions provided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This regulation requires the entities under the Act to be accountable of security and privacy of the patient’s health information (Chaikind, 2004). HIPAA guides that patients have the right of getting a notice regarding how their information is shared and used. The Act further advices patients to file a complaint in a situation where they feel that the healthcare providers have violated these guidelines that target protecting their privacy (Chaikind, 2004). In this context, hospitals and health professionals can fall on the wrong side of the law following utilization of the QR codes through which patients’ information can be accessed easily without proper authentication (Kimppa, George & Duquenoy, 2008).
Ethical Concerns
Ethical concerns related to the use of the QR codes especially in healthcare includes aspects such as infringing into one’s privacy and failure of obtaining informed consent. Ethically, healthcare providers and professionals have a responsibility of ensuring that the patients’ health information is protected accordingly. In particular, health providers should assume effective procedural and operational strategies that would ensure that patients’ health information does not leak to the unintended parties. In this respect, ethical standards demand that disclosure of patients’ health information may only happen in special cases, in most of which an informed consent should be obtained (Kimppa, George & Duquenoy, 2008). Accordingly, QR codes in healthcare attract ethical concerns, as sensitive patients’ health information is often easily accessible through the technology.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
It is apparent that QR codes provide a strategic technology that has the potential of improving the healthcare services considerably. The adoption of QR technology in healthcare invites identifiable advantages in aspects such as increased patient engagement, customer service and patient education and improved communication. However, the technology is also characterized with various disadvantages, legal and ethical concerns especially in the context of patients’ security and privacy. This highlights that the technology cannot be dismissed or withdrawn from the healthcare; however, precautions should be adopted to address the concerns attached to it. The subsequent recommendations are vital in ensuring healthy utilization of this technology. Initially, hospitals should establish access controls by protecting their systems with authentication codes to limit access of patients’ information. Furthermore, encryption of the stored data is essential to ensure that other parties who lack knowledge of decrypt it do not understand it (Kimppa, George & Duquenoy, 2008). Lastly, conducting frequent audit trail to establish which data was accessed and by who is essential in the management of patients’ health information.
Conclusively, it is apparent that QR codes are of great value in the healthcare considering the numerous advantages that characterize the technology. I believe that QR technology is a beneficial assent in the healthcare that is capable of enhancing efficiency in the sector. This substantiates the significance of adopting QR codes to reap the benefits presented by this noble technology.
References
Chaikind, H. R. (2004). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Overview and analyses. New York: Novinka Books.
Colling, R. L., & York, T. (2009). Hospital and Healthcare Security. Burlington: Elsevier.
Kimppa, K., George, C., & Duquenoy, P. (2008). Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Medical Informatics. Hershey, PA: Medical Information Science Reference.
SecTech, Ślęzak, D., & FGIT (Conference). (2009). Security technology: International conference, SecTech 2009, held as part of the Future Generation Information Technology Conference, FGIT 2009, Jeju Island, Korea, December 10-12, 2009, proceedings. Berlin: Springer.
Sewell, J., & Thede, L (2013). Informatics and nursing: Opportunities and challenges (4th ed.). Philadelphia PA Wolters Kluwer.
