Gluing Papers to Computers: How QR-and Bar-codes Enable Hybrid Information Systems

Patient health information management in resource poor environments is largely paper-centric, relying on the use of paper registers. A notorious problem with paper registers is the difficulty of finding clients’ records when they show up at a health facility for a subsequent visit. Another inefficiency associated with paper register is that if a health worker opts to create a new record, after not finding an existing one, that client’s history is lost. Where attempts have been made to completely shift to digital platforms, it has been observed that such systems may need to be augmented with paper, especially where network connectivity and electricity are intermittent. This research sought to find out how the use of QR codes implemented on an Android app can make the transition between paper and IT more seamless for community health workers (CHW) in a resource poor environment. Tests demonstrate gains in efficiency by reducing the time searching records from paper registers and reducing time typing clients’ names in computer systems. Also, the QR-code reader avoided creating duplicate client records or registering data for the wrong person.