Promoting the use of QR codes for quick access to diabetes guidance in clinical care.

Published Date: 01st February 2025

Publication Authors: Michaels. S, Taylor. J, Murphy. S, Caton. K, Furlong. NJ, Westall. S, Aung. E, Cardwell. J

Abstract

Aims: Accessing appropriate guidelines in a busy environment can often be challenging. The aim was to develop a tool which enabled hospital clinical staff to gain quick, easy access to diabetes guidelines ensuring that they had the most appropriate and up-to-date information to hand.
Method(s): A review of existing resources found that there were several tools such as insulin and hypoglycaemia lanyard cards in use but often these were out of date with difficultly in a large hospital ensuring that staff had up-to-date versions and information. QR codes stickers were developed, which would be placed in the clinical notes by diabetes specialist staff, allowing ward staff to access relevant information quickly ensuring the most up-to-date information is always accessible.
Result(s): A QR code was created which gives easy access to MWL (Mersey and West Lancs) Adult inpatient guidelines, Safe Insulin Prescribing pocket cards and Hypoglycaemia pocket cards. Initial results showed a positive response with increased levels of satisfaction and clinical staff being able to easily access guidance on smartphones or iPads, which are now often used in clinical areas for recording observations.
Conclusion(s): Accessing relevant and important clinical information timely and with ease is essential in acute busy working environments. Using QR code stickers within clinical records not only highlights awareness of the availability of these diabetes support tools but encourages that there use with the goal of achieving safer patient care, greater staff satisfaction and reduced staff stress levels.

Michaels, S.; Taylor, J.; Murphy, S.; Caton, K.; Furlong, N.; Westall, S.; Aung, E.; Cardwell, J. (2025). Promoting the use of QR codes for quick access to diabetes guidance in clinical care. Diabetic Medicine. 42(Supp 1). [Online]. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dme.15498 [Accessed 4 February 2026].