Quick Response in an Emergency: How QR Codes Help Keep Students Safer at School

Monday, 31 October 2011 00:00

Written by Honey Silvas

Accidents can happen to anybody, so it is important to prepare for it just in case. Quick Response (QR) codes, such as MyInfo911 emergency identification cards and stickers, are being adopted by students in schools to improve safety. QR codes provide data through smartphone technology to medical professionals, giving them valuable on-the-spot information during an emergency.

One of the top accidents involving students are car collisions. In these tough economic times, budget cuts are affecting the funding of school buses, causing more and more students to seek alternative methods of commuting such as by walking, biking or skateboarding. This increases the chances of a student being in a street accident.

Another common type of accident in schools are sports-related injuries. Every year, millions of school children under the age of 14 are injured while playing sports activities such as soccer, baseball, football, basketball and cheerleading. Of these, around 775,000 are sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. Injuries range from collisions, overexertion, getting hit by an object to falls and many others.

The biggest problem facing first responders during an emergency is lack of information. Most students do not have proper identification, making it difficult for medical professionals to find pertinent details, especially if the student is unconscious or cannot speak. It is not only necessary to be able to identify the child and notify the next of kin, but also to avoid Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) that can occur if existing medical conditions such as allergies are not known. It is needed especially if there are special conditions so the proper treatment can be used or improper treatment can be avoided. In an emergency situation when every second counts, having access to records so quickly can sometimes mean the difference between life or death.

The MyInfo911 cards and stickers contain the student's name, photo, QR code and a 3-digit EMT access number. The cards featuring the QR codes can be affixed to bags with a key ring attachment or placed in a wallet. The stickers, also featuring QR codes, can be placed on bags, lunchboxes, wristbands, bikes, skateboards and helmets. The QR codes are similar to bar codes (they also known as 2D bar codes) and can be scanned using mobile phones or scanners. The cards and stickers also contain URLs which can be accessed through a computer in case a mobile phone is not available. Upon scanning the QR code, emergency responders can have access to vital personal and medical data such as photo, birth date, emergency contact numbers, blood type, allergies, medications and many more. This ensures that proper care is given and errors due to misinformation are avoided. Also, as soon as the card is activated from someone scanning the QR code, the emergency contact person is notified immediately.

Data associated with the QR code can be updated online if necessary and the parent can choose what details they want to provide. The QR code can also be used to track medications, prescriptions and vaccinations.

With the help of emergency ID cards and QR codes, the safety of school children can be increased. Immediate access to a student's important medical data through QR codes could help tremendously in ensuring that the child gets the appropriate medical treatment in times of danger.

MyInfo911 (http://www.myinfo911.com) was started in October 2010 and is based in Palm Coast Florida. They specialize in using QR code technology in identification for medical purposes.