Color coding: a tool to enhance the quality of health care in low resource settings

Abstract

Color coding in health sector refers to the systematic process of displaying information using different colors for providing assistance in classification and identification. In the public health sector, where the aim is to improve the health indicators of the general population as a whole, application of color coding not only enables diagnosis of important health condition but even serves as a rationale to start an appropriate line of management. Multiple applications of color-coding have been identified in the health sector. However, the colorcoded approach is not fool-proof and has its shortcomings. Moreover, most of these concerns can be resolved by proper sensitization of health professionals and adoption of a standardized color-coding approach universally. In conclusion, color coding in health care has the immense scope to ensure delivery of quality assured services, especially in low resource settings. Nevertheless, there is a crucial need to implement this approach universally to expand its range of benefits to both patients and healthcare professionals.

Keywords

• color-coding, health care, growth chart, cycle-beads