Improving Patient Identification with GS1 QR Codes in Healthcare

Patient identification is one of the major concerns in the healthcare industry. From maintaining patient safety to appropriate treatment to good results, a lot depends on correct identification.

Flawed identification systems can lead to incorrect medication, transfusion of incompatible blood, and inaccurate surgical procedures. It might come as a surprise that at least 251,454 die each year in the US due to medical errors alone.

However, the patient identification GS1 QR code promises a reliable solution to this problem. It’s a scannable code that lets authorized people access patient data quickly and easily. Physicians can now simply scan a QR code wristband to track and manage their patients' conditions. 

Let's explore the challenges faced by the healthcare industry and how patient identification GS1 QR codes can help overcome them. 

Table of Contents

1. Why Does Patient Identification Matter? 
2. Understanding Patient Identification Challenges 
   • High Chances of Misidentification
   • Mislabeling or Data Entry Errors
   • Duplication of Records 
   • Communication Problems
3. Improving Patient Identification with GS1 QR Code 
4. What is GS1?
5. GS1 QR Codes for Healthcare
   • GS1 Data Matrix Barcodes 
   • GS1 QR Barcodes
6. Patient Identification
   • QR Code Wristbands 
   • QR Code Scanners 
   • Mobile Solutions 
7. Benefits of Patient Identification GS1 QR Codes
8. How to Improve Your Patient Identification with GS1 QR Code Generator
9. GS1 QR CODE: The Way Forward in Patient Identification

Why Does Patient Identification Matter? 

Fast and effective patient identification is the bedrock of a functional healthcare system. Studies show that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer.

While the introduction of EHRs improved the situation, human errors still resulted in significantly flawed patient identification.

Patient health relies on accurate drug administration and transfusing compatible blood, but that’s just one side of the picture. Digging a little deeper shows that it actually encompasses a whole range of healthcare interventions that are a matter of life and death for millions. 

Understanding Patient Identification Challenges 

Let's examine some of the most prominent patient identification challenges you might face as a healthcare professional. 

High Chances of Misidentification

The majority of healthcare facilities rely on digital healthcare records for patient identification. While these systems do provide patients' credentials, the data is often scattered through EHRs, laboratory systems, and physicians' databases, leading to huge data accessibility issues.  

Digital healthcare data often makes it difficult to get a complete picture of a patient's medical history. Research shows that 45% of large hospitals found it difficult to identify patients through electronic health records (EHRs). 

Mislabeling or Data Entry Errors

Patients are usually provided with an identification number printed on a label or a wristband at the time of admission. Along with the quality of handwriting, smudged or damaged labels can make it impossible for the staff to read and interpret it properly. 

Also, healthcare staff often use pre-labelled tubes and equipment and skip the steps by which patients can confirm their identity. This can create confusion in diagnosis, test requests, and medication orders. 

Duplication of Records 

You will often encounter patients with similar names, surnames, and dates of birth. This can create a duplication in medical records and require extra vigilance for proper patient identification. Some healthcare organizations are experiencing up to 30% duplication in their medical records. This complicates patient care, increasing the workload and costs of maintaining medical records.    

Communication Problems

A huge chunk of healthcare data consists of first-hand patient information. Patients are often stressed and anxious and may confirm the wrong information. Similarly, patients who don't speak the dominant language may struggle to communicate their fever symptoms properly. Communication gaps and a disorganized flow of information are costly mistakes for both patients and hospitals.     

Improving Patient Identification with GS1 QR Code 

The rise of patient portals and mobile applications has enabled people to actively participate in their healthcare journey. Patient identification GS1 QR code or barcode technology can be a great solution to improve healthcare operations. These barcodes contain patient data that you can embed and scan through a patient's medical bracelets or medical history sheets to quickly access their healthcare records. 

Before discussing the benefits of the GS1 QR code for patient identification, let's understand what GS1 is and how GS1 barcodes work. 

What is GS1?

GS1 (Global Standards) is a nonprofit that develops and maintains the most widely adopted international barcode standards. It is the official provider of GTINs (Global Trade Item Number), EAN (European Article Number), and UPCs (Universal Product Codes). 

Unlike regular barcodes, a GS1 2D barcode contains detailed information about a product. From the date of origin to the expiry date, you can easily find the ingredients and all the details about their supply chain journey. The whole purpose of these barcodes is to remove the gaps between supply chain partners and improve performance and safety standards. 

GS1 QR Codes for Healthcare

GS1 digital link QR code barcodes follow a standard structure known as a uniform resource identifier. It combines all unique information related to a particular patient and their healthcare history. 

Upon scanning, they will show you all the necessary information about each individual patient. These barcodes include a variety of symbols that vary in range, depending upon the information they can encode. Let's take a look at two of the most commonly used GS1 QR codes for healthcare.  

GS1 Data Matrix Barcodes 

These 2D barcodes can store up to 3116 digits and 2335 alphanumeric characters. They can be read both vertically and horizontally, enabling quick verification of a patient's identity and location monitoring on the move. That’s why their use in the healthcare industry has grown significantly in the last few years.

GS1 QR Barcodes

GS1 QR barcodes offer the same advantages as data matrix barcodes with advanced features. These QR codes also store information in two dimensions using different geometric patterns. A GS1 QR code for healthcare can store up to 7089 digits and 4296 alphanumeric characters. 

Quick response codes are the latest technology making patient identification much more accessible. Since they support both vertical and horizontal reading, physicians no longer need to twist the patient’s arm. QR codes can even be read even when they are torn or damaged and you can easily print them on plastic or paper labels.   

Patient Identification

Patient identification GS1 QR codes can be used in different ways to enhance patient identification and care, such as: 

QR Code Wristbands 

These antimicrobial wristbands have a patient identification GS1 QR code with the patient's name, previous conditions, treatment, and more. They are ideal for hospitals, clinics, senior citizen homes, and even newborn babies.  

QR Code Scanners 

Healthcare barcode scanners are specifically designed for clinical use. They can quickly read identification QR codes on patient wristbands to ensure that each patient receives appropriate care. However, most QR codes don't need a special scanning device.   

Mobile Solutions 

You can easily scan a GS1 QR code for healthcare with a smartphone, computer or similar device. It enables patients and caregivers to actively monitor and track their treatment process.

 

Benefits of Patient Identification GS1 QR Codes

GS1 QR codes improve patient identification, reduce medical errors, and enhance healthcare organizations' operational efficiency. Below are some of the most prominent benefits of GS1 QR codes for patient identification.  

Patient Safety

Patient identification with the GS1 barcode ensures that all the necessary information is stored and accessible with a quick scan. This improves healthcare quality and reduces the chances of errors, such as incorrect diagnosis, medication, or record duplication. GS1 barcodes also improve patient data privacy by streamlining the information encoded in the QR codes.

Continuous Care

Accurate patient identification helps you to access a patient's complete medical history, treatment details, and other relevant information. It’s crucial to provide a positive healthcare experience throughout their treatment journey; this data also helps other healthcare professionals if patients switch physicians or hospitals.

Billing Accuracy

The healthcare sector annually loses almost $ 105 billion in insurance fraud. GS1 QR codes keep track of all the treatments and services provided to a patient. This accuracy ensures that patients are only charged for the services they have received and reduces the chances of potential fraud.

Patient Satisfaction

Patients expect their physicians and caregivers to know them and have complete access to their accurate medical information. They want to be consulted about their condition and how things will proceed in the treatment. Patient identification data increases mutual trust between patients and caregivers and increases patient satisfaction.

How to Improve Your Patient Identification with GS1 QR Code Generator

Do you want to improve the patient experience with identification QR codes? Here’s the easiest step-by-step guide on how to get started on your QR code journey: 

• Go to QR TIGER GS1 QR Code Generator and log in to your account. Register yourself if you don't have an existing account. 
• Fill out all the necessary information, including primary identification, data attributes, and key qualifiers. 
• Choose your preferred QR code solution (e.g., file, URL).  
• Click on ‘Generate QR code.’
• Customize your QR code with different colors, patterns, frames, or pictures until you get your desired result. 
• Scan and check if your QR code works properly. Click on ‘Download’ to save your QR code. 

GS1 QR CODE: The Way Forward in Patient Identification

A consistent and accurate patient identification system is the first step towards safe and effective healthcare. Many healthcare organizations still depend upon manual processes and EHRs, which can lead to challenges like misidentification, medication errors, and duplicated records. 

Patient identification GS1 QR codes can be a powerful and reliable solution.  QR barcodes help you easily access all the necessary patient information with a quick scan on your smartphone. 

If you want the best patient identification GS1 QR code solution, go for QR TIGER. Its advanced customization features transcend name tags and create a positive patient experience. Switch to QR Tiger as a first step towards safe, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare.