Abstract
Introduction: The incorporation of simple but strategically applied technologies has the potential to transform processes in the hospital environment. One such opportunity lies in the use of QR Codes already printed on packaging by manufacturers, replacing internal barcode labels. This change reduces manual steps, eliminates the use of additional supplies, strengthens traceability, and contributes to sustainable practices. By aligning operational efficiency, patient safety, and environmental responsibility, this approach presents itself as a practical solution, easy to adopt, and with high potential impact. Objective: To demonstrate how replacing internal barcodes with manufacturerprovided QR Codes generates economic, environmental, and operational benefits, reducing costs and waste, optimizing human resources, and strengthening patient safety in a scalable and replicable manner across different hospital settings. Methods: The study was conducted by the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians team from the Pharmaceutical Supply Center, analyzing 133 items identified with QR Codes already printed by the manufacturer. Data were collected on monthly consumption, supply costs, label application time, and waste volume. Operational costs were calculated considering the average time required for manual application, multiplied by the team’s hourly cost. Supply costs considered the unit values of selfadhesive labels and ribbons, multiplied by monthly consumption. Waste reduction was estimated based on the average weight and volume of unused labels and ribbons. The analyses were performed based on the average monthly consumption of the products, allowing quarterly measurement of economic, environmental, and efficiency impacts. Results: A simple implementation of the use of QR Codes provided by manufacturers, applied to 133 items over a threemonth period, resulted in total savings of R$ 18,123.53, considering the sum of avoided costs related to selfadhesive labels, ribbons, and labor for labeling. During the same period, an 18.3 kg reduction in solid waste generation was observed, along with estimated savings of 820 working hours that would have been dedicated to manual label application. With the projected expansion of the initiative to an additional 25 items, an additional quarterly saving of R$ 1,988.02 is estimated, with a reduction of approximately 1.9 kg of waste and optimization of another 83 working hours during the period. These results reinforce the potential of the strategy to promote environmental sustainability, reduce operational costs, and optimize human resources in the sector. Conclusions: The use of manufacturerprovided QR Codes proved effective in reducing costs, optimizing processes, and promoting sustainability in Pharmacy and Logistics. Within three months, there were significant savings in supplies and labor, waste reduction, and a substantial gain in productive hours. Expanding the initiative to more items reinforces its scalability potential and its ability to generate continuous economic, environmental, and operational benefits, while also strengthening process traceability and safety, aligning with best practices in hospital management.
