Bengaluru: CV Raman General Hospital to introduce QR code-based patient registration

Bengaluru: The state-run CV Raman General Hospital becomes the second hospital in India to introduce QR code-based Fast Track Queue System for patient registration, enabling them to skip the long queues to get their out-patient registration (OPD) card. 

The QR system allows patients to share their demographic and personal details with the hospital via scanning a code. The move would help to reduce the waiting time in the long queues, reduce the time taken at the OPD registration counter, and would reportedly provide correct data. 

Also Read:Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to simplify OPD registrations

The QR-based registration system was introduced under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and the National Health Authority (NHA) had taken up a pilot project to introduce the QR code feature at the Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) in Delhi for the first time, which was reported previously by the Medical Dialogues team.  

State Health Commissioner Randeep D, who is also the State ABDM Mission Director said that the Ayushman Bharat Health Account Number (ABHA number) could be used by the patients to access fast-track registration. The public hospitals in Karnataka have reportedly linked around three lakh health records of patients. 

Calling this a move towards a digital ecosystem, the commissioner said, "With more people opting for fast-track registration, this system will be rolled out in Jayanagar General and K.C. General Hospitals in November." 

Explaining the process, he spoke to the Hindu, "If a patient has an ABHA number, which is a 14-digit unique code validated using Aadhaar, registration is a two-step process. The patient can scan the hospital QR code, displayed at the registration counter, using a mobile phone and share the demographic profile with the hospital. This will generate a token number on the patient's phone. The token number should be shown at the 'fast track counter' to get the OPD slip instantly." 

The commissioner added, "In case the patient does not have an ABHA number, one additional step of creating ABHA is required. This can be done," and further observed, "ABHA number-based fast track registration not only cuts down the wait time for patients visiting the hospitals but also encourages hospitals to use digital registration systems since data entry is zero, except for minimal changes in the demographic details, if required. Almost all hospitals run by the Health Department in districts and taluks have e-hospital HMIS system, which is ABDM compliant."

Four out of the seven hospitals in India which have digitally linked patients' ABHA IDs with health records is in Karnataka, revealed the NHA's ABDM dashboard. These four hospitals are K.C. General and Jayanagar General hospitals in Bengaluru, and district hospitals in Dharwad and Udupi.