Application of QR code in three-level pre-viewing triage system in a hospital's responding Beijing Xinfadi wholesale market COVID-19 epidemic

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the scientific value of the three-level pre-viewing triage management practice by using "Alipay" health code and self-developed electronic version of screening table QR code to assist COVID-19 screening in a general hospital. METHODS: During Beijing Xinfadi wholesale market COVID-19 epidemic, the definition of epidemiological history and clinical symptom case of pre-viewing and triage were determined by referring to the COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol(Trial Seventh Edition). Through strengthening hospital import and export management, setting up the pre-viewing triage points scientifically, improving the three-level pre-viewing triage process by using information technology to improve efficiency, the three-level pre-viewing triage system was strictly implement. Data included information released by the country and the region, daily reports on the workload of the hospital. RESULTS: During the epidemic period in Beijing(June 11-July 5), the number of online appointments and the number of general outpatient clinics showed a downward trend compared with before and after period, and the difference was significant(P<0.05). The number of fever outpatient during the epidemic period in Xinfadi wholesale market accounted for 2.1%(6 647/322 041) of the total number of visits during the epidemic period, which was positively correlated with the number of confirmed cases in Xinfadi wholesale market(r_s=0.755). During the same period, the hospital confirmed 2 cases of coronal virus disease and 3 cases of asymptomatic infection;25 cases with positive epidemiological history and 920 cases with fever were detected, and all of them were guided to the fever clinic in an orderly manner. All medical staff and patients had zero infection. CONCLUSION: The three-level pre-viewing triage system is conductive to reduce the risk of nosocomial infection. The application of "QR code" is of great significance to improve the efficiency of pre-viewing triage and to achieve precise prevention and control of epidemics.