QR In Healthcare
We Can, But Should We?
Samantha Taylor
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR360: Information Systems in Healthcare
September 2013
We Can, But Should We? Imagine someone accessing another person’s medical information by scanning a bar code square with his or her smartphone? Would you participate if it could possibly mean the difference between life and death? Well, a company called Lifesquare is piloting the program and states this program can save your life by saving time in critical situation (Rich, 2012). Quick Response (QR) Codes are amongst the growing technology in healthcare. This system is designed to list pertinent medical information such as allergies, medications and conditions. The QR is basically placed in various places …show more content…
so that it is accessible in an emergency event. The system is designed to reduction triage time by 35% (Pierfrancesco, 2013). Would you consent and sign up for this program? There are many advantages and disadvantages to this process and we will discuss the subject to make an informed decision.
The Advantages
This new technology is very effective if used correctly. One of the advantages are the fact that emergency workers (EMTs) will have up to date information on the medications that a person takes as well as allergies. This information is extremely critical in patients that are unconscious and cannot speak for themselves. With the information on the QR, medical personnel can quickly administer antidotes for toxic effects of medication a patient takes. Another way this system is used is in pharmacies. Patients are able to scan the QR on medication bottles for information on their current medications in which they have lost the pamphlets. This can also be an easy way for patients to order refills on prescription when they see that they are running low. This technology can also be used in order to provide education to patients. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and medical personnel can encourage patients to scan their medications to learn about them and as well as any diagnosis.
This technology is similar to a medical alert bracelet; however, it gives more detailed information that would benefit children and those with Alzheimer’s disease. Around 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and many are elderly with poly-pharmacies (CDC, 2013). Having a medications list readily available can help save a life and it can also identify a person to contact if they get lost or for an emergency. The QR system is a system that will help providers provide accurate and time sensitive care quickly.
The Disadvantages
Every new technology is not perfect and will still have its disadvantages while in the pilot phase.
They system relies on data input my humans and as we all know we are not perfect and we make mistakes. Medication entered (whether it’s the patient or providers) may be wrong or it may not be updated. Computer data entry mistakes can simply be clicking the wrong box (which could be the wrong medication). Another disadvantage would be potential violation of The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). HIPPA ensures only personnel that need to provide care access your medical information (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2013). With any information systems there is a risk for a breech in security from outside sources. There will always be a potential for hackers to get information and organizations must stay on top of these potential threats. A deterrent for accessing information when not allowed is a 10-year prison …show more content…
sentence.
Another disadvantage is that this system must be mobile for emergency situations and there is a potential for the device needed to scan the QR to get stolen. If an outside source accessed the information they could possibly steal a person’s identity. This system is fairly new and every medical organization may not have access to it, which would not even make a difference in the critical time period needed to save a life. Medical facilities are often hesitant to order costly systems that have not been evaluated extensively, which bring me to another point in cost. Another disadvantage is cost and whether insurance companies would cover the purchase of QRs and will medical facilities charge patients to cover the cost of these new technologies.
Conclusion
New technology is always needed to help save lives more effectively.
I believe this QR system is a great way to triage patients in emergency situation like hurricanes and earthquakes. Every system has its disadvantages and only time can help improve a system and determine flaws. If this system could help save a loved ones life I would definitely take advantage of it. Every system is at risk to get hacked into preventative measure need to be in place before use. I think this will be a valuable way to treat a person in a timely matter in situations where it is critical. You will never know when something happens so why not be prepared for the
worst.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Alzheimer 's Disease. (2013) Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
Pierfrancesco, B. (2013, May 23). Mobile Emergency, an Emergency Support System for Hospitals in Mobile Devices: Pilot Study. Retrieved October 6, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668604/#!po=86.5385
Rich, S. (2012). QR Code Blue. Government Technology, 25(10), 40-41.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2013). Guidance Materials for Consumers. Retrieved October 6, 2013, from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
Samantha Taylor
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR360: Information Systems in Healthcare
September 2013
We Can, But Should We? Imagine someone accessing another person’s medical information by scanning a bar code square with his or her smartphone? Would you participate if it could possibly mean the difference between life and death? Well, a company called Lifesquare is piloting the program and states this program can save your life by saving time in critical situation (Rich, 2012). Quick Response (QR) Codes are amongst the growing technology in healthcare. This system is designed to list pertinent medical information such as allergies, medications and conditions. The QR is basically placed in various places …show more content…
so that it is accessible in an emergency event. The system is designed to reduction triage time by 35% (Pierfrancesco, 2013). Would you consent and sign up for this program? There are many advantages and disadvantages to this process and we will discuss the subject to make an informed decision.
The Advantages
This new technology is very effective if used correctly. One of the advantages are the fact that emergency workers (EMTs) will have up to date information on the medications that a person takes as well as allergies. This information is extremely critical in patients that are unconscious and cannot speak for themselves. With the information on the QR, medical personnel can quickly administer antidotes for toxic effects of medication a patient takes. Another way this system is used is in pharmacies. Patients are able to scan the QR on medication bottles for information on their current medications in which they have lost the pamphlets. This can also be an easy way for patients to order refills on prescription when they see that they are running low. This technology can also be used in order to provide education to patients. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and medical personnel can encourage patients to scan their medications to learn about them and as well as any diagnosis.
This technology is similar to a medical alert bracelet; however, it gives more detailed information that would benefit children and those with Alzheimer’s disease. Around 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and many are elderly with poly-pharmacies (CDC, 2013). Having a medications list readily available can help save a life and it can also identify a person to contact if they get lost or for an emergency. The QR system is a system that will help providers provide accurate and time sensitive care quickly.
The Disadvantages
Every new technology is not perfect and will still have its disadvantages while in the pilot phase.
They system relies on data input my humans and as we all know we are not perfect and we make mistakes. Medication entered (whether it’s the patient or providers) may be wrong or it may not be updated. Computer data entry mistakes can simply be clicking the wrong box (which could be the wrong medication). Another disadvantage would be potential violation of The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). HIPPA ensures only personnel that need to provide care access your medical information (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2013). With any information systems there is a risk for a breech in security from outside sources. There will always be a potential for hackers to get information and organizations must stay on top of these potential threats. A deterrent for accessing information when not allowed is a 10-year prison …show more content…
sentence.
Another disadvantage is that this system must be mobile for emergency situations and there is a potential for the device needed to scan the QR to get stolen. If an outside source accessed the information they could possibly steal a person’s identity. This system is fairly new and every medical organization may not have access to it, which would not even make a difference in the critical time period needed to save a life. Medical facilities are often hesitant to order costly systems that have not been evaluated extensively, which bring me to another point in cost. Another disadvantage is cost and whether insurance companies would cover the purchase of QRs and will medical facilities charge patients to cover the cost of these new technologies.
Conclusion
New technology is always needed to help save lives more effectively.
I believe this QR system is a great way to triage patients in emergency situation like hurricanes and earthquakes. Every system has its disadvantages and only time can help improve a system and determine flaws. If this system could help save a loved ones life I would definitely take advantage of it. Every system is at risk to get hacked into preventative measure need to be in place before use. I think this will be a valuable way to treat a person in a timely matter in situations where it is critical. You will never know when something happens so why not be prepared for the
worst.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Alzheimer 's Disease. (2013) Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
Pierfrancesco, B. (2013, May 23). Mobile Emergency, an Emergency Support System for Hospitals in Mobile Devices: Pilot Study. Retrieved October 6, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668604/#!po=86.5385
Rich, S. (2012). QR Code Blue. Government Technology, 25(10), 40-41.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2013). Guidance Materials for Consumers. Retrieved October 6, 2013, from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html