Design proposal · Patient safety

Bed QR Codes

A sticker on every hospital bed that opens a phone page showing how to work that exact bed, from brakes to the CPR release.

Audience
Staff, patients and families
Setting
Inpatient units
Format
QR sticker + phone page
Pairs with
Line Management, Clinical Phone Alerts

The proposal

Problem

Hospitals run several bed models at once, and new models arrive often. Staff who float between units can't remember every control panel, and patients and families can't find the button to sit up or call the nurse. Fumbling with a bed slows care, and in a code it costs seconds.

TravelersFloat nursesTherapistsNew hiresPatientsFamilies

Solution

A QR sticker on each bed, matched to its model. Scanning it with any phone camera opens a short page with the CPR release at the top, a tap-to-jump list of common tasks, and separate views for staff and for patients and families.

Why it holds up

Where the bed maker already has training videos, the page links to them, so the content stays current without extra work. When the hospital changes bed models, only the sticker and one page change.

The project · Sticker and phone page

Mockups

The design

Sample bed model and steps for illustration. The QR pattern is not scannable. The phone page below works: try the audience switch and tap a task.

How to use this bedScan me

Point your phone camera here.Brakes, bed height, sitting up, bed alarm, nurse call and CPR release.

Model: Sample Bed 3000Patients & staff

Bed sticker

Placed on the foot board and the outside of each side rail, at eye level for someone standing or sitting in a chair. Marigold band so it reads as "help," not as equipment labeling. Wipeable vinyl that survives hospital disinfectants. The model name sits on the sticker so the right page always opens.

Sample Bed 3000Unit beds · updated 10/2026

    Mobile page

    Built for one hand: large tap targets, one task open at a time, and plain words. The CPR release is always first and always red. Staff see every function. Patients and families see only what is safe for them to use, with a reminder to call the nurse for the rest.

    Rollout plan

    What to measure

    Scans

    Scans per bed model and which tasks people open most.

    Confidence

    Staff and family survey before and after the pilot.

    Calls for help

    Call lights and staff calls asking how to work the bed.

    Safety events

    Bed-related incidents, such as brakes not set or bed alarms off.