PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Diczbalis, Monica AU - Liu, Yi Tian AU - Young, Donald J AU - Vaghadia, Himat TI - Development and implementation of a quick reference (QR) code linked online education tool in anaesthesiology practice AID - 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002030 DP - 2022 Dec 01 TA - BMJ Open Quality PG - e002030 VI - 11 IP - 4 4099 - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/4/e002030.short 4100 - http://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/11/4/e002030.full SO - BMJ Open Qual2022 Dec 01; 11 AB - Background We conducted a feasibility study of an anaesthetic online educational tool that is accessed via quick reference (QR) codes. The primary objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of an online educational tool for providing satisfactory teaching to patients presenting for surgery and assess if using QR codes are a viable method for directing patients to the information. The secondary objective was to obtain feedback from anaesthesiologists.Methods The educational tool was developed and hosted on a password-protected website. The educational material on the website focused on anaesthesia-related processes that the patient should expect to experience in the hospital as well as fasting information. A survey was embedded into the website to obtain patient feedback. The website was redesigned following patient and staff feedback.Results Ninety-three patients accessed the online education tool. Of the 73 responses to the survey, 81% of patients reported that the tool improved their knowledge and understanding about anaesthesia. 73% of patients expressed a preference for, or were neutral regarding using online patient education. 36% of patients were familiar with QR codes and 28% were frequent users of QR codes. Most anaesthesiologists expressed satisfaction with the tool being used by their patients following the redesign process (93.1%, 89.6% and 89.6% for general anaesthesia, neuraxial anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia, respectively).Conclusions This feasibility study demonstrated that an online anaesthetic educational tool has utility in promoting patient education about the anaesthetic experience and was well received by both patients and anaesthesiologists. QR codes are not feasible as the sole method for linking our patient population to an online education resource.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information.