Category: QR Codes

By personalizing the barcodes, first responders can gain immediate access to patient information.

A contest called the Startup Weekend Health competition in Philadelphia was held for the second time this year, and in this instance, it was won by a concept for using personalized QR codes that provide emergency responders, such as paramedics, to scan them in order to obtain relevant patient data.

This use of the barcodes allows the medical professionals to obtain vital information right away.

Even if a patient has been rendered unconscious, is in shock, or is unable to provide accurate information, the QR codes give the first responders access to his or her medical information. The hope is that by using technology in this way, it could help medical personnel to reduce the chance of accidentally administering the wrong type of treatment to a patient.

The data revealed by the QR codes could help an emergency responder to better save a life.

This is because by scanning the QR codes in an emergency room or even out when a paramedic is responding to a call, the patient’s allergies, the medications that he or she is taking, and his or her medical conditions can be revealed. This can help the responder to make a decision that is more appropriate to the needs of that specific individual.

Moreover, When the right app is used, it becomes possible for QR codes to give the medical responders the ability to send out a text message to the patient’s emergency contacts. This way, even more information can become available, and personal support can become available to that patient.

The entire concept for the QR codes used in this way was pitched for the contest by a team from the In Case of Emergency (mICE) program. The leader of that group, David Bendell, made the actual pitch, and the entire plan for the program itself was put together by a team of seven people within 48 hours of the pitch itself. Though they won first prize – an interview with DreamIt Health, their main concern is now that two members of the team (including Bendell, himself) are international students. They will need to find full time jobs before May 2013 or their visas will run out before they can continue this project.

The Fort Thomas Elementary Schools are taking a high tech step to enhance education for their students.

Within the Fort Thomas Elementary Schools, students are learning through the use of mobile devices as they scan QR codes that have been put into place to build on the education experience.

The three schools are allowing their teachers and students to use iPads that can scan the barcodes.

Students and teachers alike are using QR codes to help to make learning more fun and interactive at the schools. There are several different techniques that are being used in order to get the most out of what the iPads have to offer. This helps students to pay attention and find their lessons more interesting and appealing.

The QR codes have been applied in a number of fun and creative ways to build on the lessons.

For instance, at one of the three schools, Moyer Elementary School, the students within the third grade used their iPads while they were attending the Kentucky Wax Museum displays as created by the students in the fourth grade. It featured a number of famous historical figures from the state.

Each of the stations featured QR codes that could be scanned by the third graders through the use of the iPad tablet. These scans redirected the students to a website which included paragraphs written by the fourth graders that provided additional information about the individual whose likeness was displayed at the station.

According to Cindy Graves, a fourth grade teacher at the school, “This is just one of the ways we’re using QR codes”. She added that “The students really love getting to use the iPads and scan the codes, it makes learning fun for them.”

Another one of the schools, Woodfill Elementary School, saw its first graders using QR codes in a number of different ways. A teacher for that grade, Shelby Jones, said that the kids love to scan the barcodes, including those that were created for their own websites and blogs, so that they can share their work with others. She explained that by introducing the tablets and barcodes, this year, it has given the ability to further learning considerably.