Community Health Nurse
QR is an acronym that represents "Quick Response". This makes a QR code a shortened form of "Quick Response Code". A QR code is a form of barcode, which can be referred to as a matrix barcode. The code can be read by specialized QR scanners. In addition, many mobile phones, which have in-built camera, can also read a QR code. Smart phones also have the capability of reading them (Qodemed, 2013). The code is made up of black dots that are arranged on a white background. Various types of information can be encoded in the QR code. The various types of information that it can hold includes text, a hyperlink to an internet address or any form of data for that matter. The QR code was invented so that its contents can be decoded with the twinkle of an eye. (Qodemed, 2013)
QR code was invented and originally designed to be used in the automobile industry to track the movement of spare parts in an assembly plant. However, several other uses have surfaced for the use of QR codes. It is now widely used in the entertainment industry to display advertisements; it can be used as a security feature to gain access to a private network among other uses.
QR codes have also found its way into the medical profession. QR codes can allow immediate access to an individual's medical information in times of emergency. By standers or even emergency medical response squad can easily access the individual’s brief medical history. This could go a long way in making a difference in resuscitating the individual and may even provide a clue as to what could be happening to the individual in the emergency (Qodemed, 2013).
QR codes can be very useful when one needs to make a quick assessment of an individual in need of urgent medical attention especially if the individual is unconscious. The information provided can give a clue to the etiology of the unconsciousness. For instance a diabetic that accidentally overdosed on his insulin and went into a hypoglycemic coma. If the individual has a QR code sticker stating his status and the current drugs he is taking, then it would be easier to commence the management of a hypoglycemic coma instead of beginning the investigation of his coma from scratch, which could hamper the care given to him. Another instance in which the use of QR code is in cases where the individual has just had a heart attack and is unconscious. A QR code stating the cardiovascular status of the individual would also be of help. If it holds such information as the last clinic visit, the current medications, dosage of drugs among other vital information, it would help in expediting action on the management of such an individual in the time of crisis (Baum, 2013).
QR codes can also be programmed to give specific information about each medical staff. A patient can decide to look up a physician's profile before taking a decision to allow such physician to offer him care. This would go a long way in allaying patients' fears as to the competence of the physician attending to him. This would also go a long way in building a mutual trust between the physician and the patient in order to facilitate a conducive environment for the provision of care to the patient. (Baum, 2013).
QR codes can also be programmed to lead to important numbers such as helpline communication numbers to specific hospitals. This would allow individuals have unhindered access to the hospital in case they need to clarify any issue or they need to contact the hospital in cases of emergency.
QR codes can be an ample source of patient education. It can be made to lead to websites that contain information about specific ailments that the individual has, with the aim of better educating the individual on how best to manage these ailments.
As advantageous as QR codes may be, they are also liable to misuse and improper use. QR codes can lead to websites to provide vital information. However, the user might not be able to say if the information on the site has been compromised or not. In cases where the information has been compromised, it would lead to taking a wrong decision on the health of the individual and could have dire consequences on the health of the individual (Innovation, 2012).
In addition, as medical information is always changing every day, if the QR code leads to a website that does not have up to date information about the ailment, it would also lead to bad decision making which could also jeopardize the health of the individual.
Violation of privacy is another problem that has to be tackled with the use of QR codes. for instance if an individual has a medical condition that he or she does not want to disclose, the fact that the information is on the QR code means that the information can be accessed by anyone who is able to scan the QR code which can be done in a matter of seconds.
In conclusion, QR codes have such enormous potentials that they can revolutionize the process of emergency medical response. Their application in administrative medicine also means they can improve efficiency of the medical service. However, the code can also be misused by people of malicious intent. QR codes are just coming around. In the nearest future, they will become mainstream in the provision of healthcare.
REFERENCES
Qodemed (2013). What is a QR Code?. Qodemed Allows Emergency First Responders Access Vital Medical Details. Qodemed mobile medical access. Retrieved from <http://qodemed.com/what-is-a-qr-code/> on 28th of May, 2013.
S Baum (2013). Personal QR codes could help first responders get vital patient information. Medcity News. Accessed on 28th May, 2013 from <http://medcitynews.com/2013/02/personal-qr-code-could-help-first-responders-get-vital-patient-information/>
Innovation (2012). New QR Codes Tell Paramedics Your Medical Info. Tech News Daily. Accessed from <http://www.technewsdaily.com/6264-new-qr-codes-tell-paramedics-your-medical-info.html> on 28th May, 2013.
