Billing and Discharge Process for Inpatient
- Routine Discharge: Physician orders patient discharge after reassessment, documented in the patient’s chart, and clearance obtained from all specialists.
- Patient Notification: Nurse informs the patient of the discharge, explains the process, and asks for the preferred discharge time.
- Document Preparation: Nurse prepares patient’s chart, discharge summary, certifications, and test results, then forwards them to the Billing Department.
- Billing Process: Nurse informs service departments (e.g., Housekeeping, Pharmacy) of discharge. Billing Department prepares the final statement of account.
- Settlement Coordination: Nurse handles excess supplies/medication credits, and Billing notifies when the final bill is ready. To avoid long queues, patients may receive an appointment slip for settling payments.
- Payment: The patient’s relative collects the final bill from the Billing Section and settles it with the Cashier, who issues three copies of the Discharge Clearance Slip.
- Room Vacating: Upon payment, the room must be vacated within 30 minutes. Clearance slip copies go to the Nurse Station, Housekeeping, and the Guard on Duty.
- Discharge Instructions: Nurse explains home medications and other instructions to the patient/caregiver, who signs an acknowledgment form.
- Room Inspection: Housekeeping checks the room for damages. If any, charges are added to the bill for settlement.
- Final Clearance: Signed discharge clearance is completed and submitted to the Guard on Duty, who collects it and removes the patient’s ID band as they exit.
Billing and Discharge Process- Emergency Room
- Discharge Explanation: The ER Physician/AP explains the discharge or DAMA (Discharge Against Medical Advice) process.
- Charge Summary: The ER Nurse on Duty (NOD) summarizes all ER charges, procedures, and professional fees.
- DAMA Form: The DAMA form is signed by the ER Physician/NOD and two witnesses, ensuring the patient or relative understands the risks and is acting voluntarily.
- Billing Instructions: The NOD prepares charge slips and directs the patient or relative to the Billing Department for account summary and payment.
- Receipt Verification: After payment, the patient or relative presents the Official Receipt (OR) to the NOD, who explains the discharge (“May Go Home”) instructions.
- Discharge Approval: The NOD informs the ER Physician/AP that the bill is settled, and the patient can be discharged.
- Patient Discharge: The patient is discharged.