Hospital Self-Service Registration and Payment Machines: A Core Component of Modern Smart Hospital Construction

Hospital Self-Service Registration and Payment Machines: A Core Component of Modern Smart Hospital Construction

Hospital self-service registration and payment machines are a core component of modern smart hospitals. They significantly streamline the traditional medical process, resolving the first two pain points of the "three longs and one short" (long registration, payment, and medication queues, and short consultation times).

I. Core Functions

A fully functional self-service registration and payment machine typically integrates the following functions:

1. Identity Authentication

* Second-generation ID card reader: The most common method, directly reads identity information to create or link a medical card.

* Medical insurance/social security card reader: Register and pay directly using your medical insurance account.

* Medical card/medical record QR code scanner: Identify existing patient information.

* Facial recognition: An emerging method, connected to the public security system, enables "face-scanning" medical services, especially convenient for patients who do not have their card with them.

2. Registration Services

* Appointment booking: Select a department, doctor, and time slot for a future date.

* Same-day appointment booking: Book a remaining appointment for the day.

* Number pickup: Pick up an appointment booked via a mobile app, phone, or other channels.

3. Payment

* Outpatient bill payment: Pay all outpatient expenses, including examination fees, laboratory tests, and medications.

* Hospitalization deposit top-up: Deposit funds into your hospitalization account.

*Payment Methods: Fully supports personal medical insurance card settlement, UnionPay card swiping, QR code payment (WeChat, Alipay), and cash payment (some machines have a cash module).

4. Query and Print

*Expense Inquiry: View historical spending details and current pending bills.

*Report Printing: Print laboratory test reports and examination reports (such as blood count and urine count).

*Invoice Printing: Print a detailed expense list for easy reimbursement.

*Information Inquiry: View hospital department information, doctor schedules, drug prices, etc.

II. Core Advantages and Value

1. For Patients:

* Time Saving: No longer need to queue at a cashier, the registration and payment process is shortened from minutes to tens of seconds.

* Privacy Protection: Self-service payment amounts, examination items, and other information are available, eliminating the awkwardness of discussing them publicly at the cashier.

* Clarity: The electronic screen clearly displays detailed charges, ensuring a clear understanding of every expense.

* 24-Hour Service: Some machines offer 24-hour service, allowing patients to register, pay, and print reports after hours or in the early hours.

2. For Hospitals:

* Efficiency Improvement: Removing a large number of repetitive and standardized tasks from cashier counters significantly reduces workload.

* Manpower Optimization: Revitalizing cashier counter staff by transitioning them to more roles such as patient guides, consultants, and self-service kiosk operators improves service quality.

* Reduced Operating Costs: In the long term, this reduces reliance on a large number of cashier counters.

* Promoting the Development of Smart Hospitals: This is a key indicator of a hospital's advanced information and digital management capabilities and improves its overall image.

3. Overall Process:

* Streamlined medical procedures, improving hospital order.

* Seamlessly integrated with the HIS (Hospital Information System) and medical insurance systems, enabling real-time data synchronization.

III. Typical Usage Process

Take a patient with a medical card as an example:

1. Card/ID Card: Place your ID card, medical insurance card, or medical card in the card reader area of the self-service machine.

2. On the main screen: select "Same-day Registration" or "Outpatient Payment."

3. Registration Process:

Select your department -> Select your doctor -> Select your time slot -> Confirm your registration information -> Select your payment method and complete payment -> Print your registration receipt.

4. Payment Process:

The system will directly display the doctor's order for payment -> Confirm your order details -> Select your payment method (e.g., medical insurance settlement + scan code payment for your out-of-pocket portion) -> Complete payment -> Print your payment receipt.

5. Next Steps: The receipt will typically indicate the next step (e.g., "Please go to the blood draw room on the 3rd floor" or "Please go to window x in the pharmacy on the 1st floor to pick up your medication").

IV. Current Situation and Challenges

1. Digital Divide for Seniors: Many elderly patients are unfamiliar with operating smart devices and may encounter difficulties. Solutions include:

*Hospitals should provide adequate guidance and volunteer assistance.

*Develop a "Senior Mode" with larger fonts, simpler processes, and clearer voice prompts.

*Retain a certain percentage of manual services to serve special groups in need.

2. System Stability: Ensure stable network connectivity and system integration with HIS/medical insurance. Otherwise, machine failures will cause further congestion.

3. Daily Maintenance: Dedicated personnel are required to restock paper, replace ribbons, handle card and banknote processing, and perform cleaning and disinfection.

Summary

Hospital self-service registration and payment machines have evolved from a "nice-to-have" feature to essential infrastructure. More than just a machine, they are a crucial component in optimizing hospital service processes, improving management efficiency, and enhancing the patient experience. As technology advances, they will become more deeply integrated with mobile devices and incorporate more artificial intelligence (AI) elements, providing smarter and more personalized services.