QR codes to be added to medical ID tags in Australian first

In an Australian-first QR codes will now be imprinted on medical ID tags like bracelets and necklaces.

A simple scan will reveal detailed patient information, which could be used to save the lives of people, such as Mustafa Kadir.

Kadir previously suffered a severe allergic reaction to a general anesthetic.

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"After I had surgery performed in hospital I woke up two days later and little to my knowledge I was in a coma because of an allergic reaction that I had in my body," Kadir said.

It is a traumatic experience he hopes he will never face again thanks to the innovation.

For around $100 a year, people can subscribe to the QR code service.

A simple scan reveals important patient information like allergies, vaccination history and emergency contact details.

"It's going to be great for patients but great for our ambulance service as well in ultimately providing the best possible patient care," South Australian health minister Chris Picton said.

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"Having the ability to go in and look at more than just a couple of words on a bracelet will help the patient get the right treatment in the right time," Keith Driscoll from SA Ambulance said.

Until now the only way to get that information was via a 24-hour phone line.

"We have had the question from paramedics and health care professionals how can we get access to information a lot faster," Chris Radbone from Medcalert said.

Kadir is one of the first Australians to take-up the technology.

"It gives me assurance that no matter where I'm going if I was to have an allergic reaction or if something was to happen to me, they could easily recognise me," he said.

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