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QR code wristbands in palliative care: enhancing efficiency and outcomes

02 January 2025
Volume 17 · Issue 1

Abstract

Background:

Poor, inaccurate and inconsistent patient information hinders ambulance clinicians' management of patients receiving palliative care, often leading to unnecessary hospital admissions. Digital records, such as the Electronic Palliative Care Coordination System (EPaCCS), offer solutions.

Aims:

This study explores ambulance clinicians' perceptions (including paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and advanced paramedic practitioners (APPs)) of a QR code-based electronic palliative care system, focusing on the content and format of information and its utility in clinical decision-making.

Methods:

Two focus groups with Welsh Ambulance Service Trust ambulance clinicians discussed a QR code wristband system. Data were thematically analysed.

Findings:

Key themes included improved access to patient information, better decision-making, greater family involvement, format and usability, and concerns regarding data governance.

Conclusion:

A QR code-based system could enhance patient care and clinical decision-making; however, it must be relevant, user-friendly in terms of content and format, and address data governance prior to wider implementation.

The lack of access to accurate patient information has repeatedly been shown in the literature to pose a significant challenge for paramedics assessing and managing people receiving palliative and supportive care at home (Brady, 2014; Allsop et al, 2021; Goodwin et al, 2021; Murphy and Van der Velde, 2022). Available information can vary in terms of detail, consistency and accuracy (Patterson et al, 2019; Peran et al, 2021), often leading to unwanted and potentially avoidable hospital admissions (Goodwin et al, 2021; Simpson et al, 2023). Without access to accurate and up-to-date information, paramedics perceive that they often have no choice but to transfer the patient to hospital (Standing et al, 2020). A recent systematic meta-review highlighted that digital healthcare records for palliative patients hold significant potential to improve patient care (Finucane et al, 2021).

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