CaoLiao QR Code

Appearance

Application of QR Codes in Crash Cart Management for Hospital Departments ​

Original article: https://cli.im/article/detail/2278

The purpose of crash cart management is to ensure emergency medications, supplies, and equipment remain in optimal condition and ready for immediate use during critical patient care situations, enabling timely and effective treatment.

For departments with infrequent crash cart usage, nurses' unfamiliarity with emergency medications and equipment poses challenges. Traditional training methods require sequentially opening each item for demonstration, consulting paper drug instructions, or even referring to textbooks - a time-consuming and ineffective approach that fails to engage staff.

We now utilize QR code technology to manage crash carts. By compiling and organizing management protocols, emergency medication instructions, and related knowledge into QR codes generated through conversion tools, we enable instant access to critical information through mobile scanning. This approach offers:

  • On-demand access to information
  • Efficient training processes
  • Improved workflow efficiency
  • Digital transformation that enhances nurse engagement
  • Better mastery of emergency care knowledge

Implementation Methodology ​

1. Creating Medication Instruction QR Codes ​

① Content includes:

  • Drug name and specifications
  • Pharmacological effects and side effects
  • Precautions and visual references Convert compiled information into QR codes using webpage templates.

② Shift Handover Key Points:

  • Visual workflow diagrams illustrating:
    • Essential handover items
    • Container integrity checks
    • Equipment verification processes Convert into easily accessible QR codes for streamlined shift transitions.

2. Deployment Process ​

Print and laminate generated QR codes in A4 format, then affix them to the top-left corner of crash carts for:

  • Shift handover verification
  • On-demand training
  • Quick reference access

Staff can also save QR codes to mobile devices for anytime learning.

Crash cart QR code placement

Closed-loop management through QR codes ensures:

  • Operational readiness of crash carts
  • Reduced nursing workload
  • Enhanced work efficiency

For departments with infrequent emergency cart usage, QR codes provide immediate access to:

  • Medication/item names and quantities
  • Usage protocols and dosages
  • Safety precautions
  • Standard operating procedures

Compared to traditional paper-based systems, QR code solutions offer:

  • Visual and interactive content
  • Cost and resource efficiency
  • Permanent digital records
  • Convenient onboarding support
  • Flexible microlearning opportunities
  • Improved staff engagement and knowledge retention

Medication instruction QR code example

This methodology can be extended to create department-specific QR codes for:

  • Common medication electronic manuals
  • Specialized equipment management
  • Customized training materials

Adapted from WeChat Public Account: Nursing Management
Original Article