Use of QR and EAN-13 codes by older patients taking multiple medications for a safer use of medication.

BACKGROUND: Older persons following a prolonged complex drug regimen often make mistakes when taking their medication. Currently, the widespread use of tablets and smartphones has encouraged the development of applications to support self-management of medication.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design, develop and assess an app that transforms medication-associated ean-13 (barcodes) and Quick Response codes (QR) into verbal instructions, to enable safer use of medication by the elderly patients taking multiple medications.
METHODS: Meetings were held in which participated a total of 61 patients.
RESULTS: The results showed that patients appreciated the application and found it useful for safer use of medicines.
CONCLUSIONS: The study results support the use of such technology to increase patient safety taking multiple medications safety.