Hospitals Streamline Patient Check-ins with QR Code Technology

Hospitals across India are adopting QR code technology to significantly reduce patient waiting times and improve the efficiency of Outpatient Department (OPD) registrations. This digital initiative, part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), allows patients to share their demographic information instantly by scanning a hospital-specific QR code, bypassing lengthy queues and manual data entry.

• QR codes enable faster patient registration by allowing digital sharing of demographic data.
• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is driving this digital transformation in healthcare.
• Benefits include reduced waiting times for patients and improved operational efficiency for hospitals.
• The system is inclusive, with options for non-smartphone users.

Long queues and the time-consuming process of manual data entry at hospital registration counters have been significant barriers to accessing healthcare, often leading to extended waiting periods and increased risk of cross-infection in crowded OPDs. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a flagship initiative by the Government of India, aims to create a national digital health ecosystem to enhance the availability, accessibility, and equity of healthcare services.

A core component of ABDM is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number, a unique 14-digit identifier that facilitates secure authentication and linking of health records with patient consent. This citizen-centric approach empowers individuals to manage their health information digitally and interact seamlessly with healthcare providers.

Inspired by the widespread success of digital payments via QR codes, ABDM’s "Scan and Share" feature allows patients to quickly register at healthcare facilities. By scanning a hospital’s QR code using their mobile phone or the ABHA app, patients can securely share their ABHA profile details, eliminating the need for manual registration and significantly cutting down wait times. This process not only enhances patient satisfaction but also allows healthcare facilities to manage patient flow more effectively and ensure accurate data management.

Patients can scan the QR code at the hospital using their smartphone camera, the ABHA app, or other ABDM-enabled applications. After generating an ABHA number if they don’t already have one, they share their profile. The hospital then provides a token number, which is sent as a notification to the patient’s selected app and displayed on screens. Patients can then proceed to the registration counter to collect their OPD slip, as their details are already registered, saving considerable time and effort.

Recognizing that not everyone owns a smartphone, the system also accommodates non-smartphone users. Individuals with an existing ABHA card can have it scanned at the OPD counter for registration. Those without an ABHA card can generate one at the health facility itself with the assistance of deployed ABDM volunteers.

Since its pilot in October 2022, the QR code registration functionality has served over two lakh patients nationwide, with Karnataka, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh leading in adoption. The ABDM ecosystem is rapidly scaling, with over 31 crore ABHA numbers generated and 10 crore health records linked. This innovative approach to hospital registration marks a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in India.

• Usage of QR codes for faster hospital registrations, MyGov Blogs.