Application of QR Code Technology in the Consultation Fee Payment Process Reform
Original text: https://cli.im/article/detail/1989
In recent years, media reports about patients complaining about hospitals charging expert consultation fees have become increasingly common, further exacerbating doctor-patient tensions. Medical institutions consider these legitimate service fees, while patients often perceive them as soliciting red envelopes. Some netizens tend to view such incidents as "patients burning bridges after crossing the river."
In December 2018, doctors from the Fifth Orthopedics Department of Qiqihar Medical College Affiliated Third Hospital were reported by a patient's family for accepting red envelopes. The Qiqihar Municipal Health Commission investigation revealed that the incident involved a 5,000 RMB consultation fee paid by the patient's family through the attending physician to an external expert, without providing an official receipt. This resulted in the hospital receiving a city-wide disciplinary notice.
In January 2019, the Gansu Provincial Health Commission responded to a patient's complaint about county-level hospitals charging consultation fees. The patient reported paying an additional 5,000 RMB for fracture surgery beyond the official hospital bill, with cash collected outside the operating room without any receipt.
These cases violate the Interim Provisions on Physician Outpatient Consultation Management by allowing direct cash payments from patients to consulting physicians or through attending doctors.
The fundamental challenge lies in establishing proper data flow management. According to regulations, physicians may receive legitimate compensation for consultation services with patient consent, but payments must be processed through hospital financial departments via official institutional transfers.
The primary difficulty resides in establishing proper data flow: patient consultation information must be verified by medical administration departments, payment status needs financial department confirmation, and expert banking information must be accurately matched with corresponding consultation records.
Implementation with CaoLiao QR Codes
After being cited for non-compliant consultation fee practices during a 2020 regulatory inspection, our hospital reformed the payment process using CaoLiao QR code solutions.
We created two integrated forms through the platform:
- Patient consultation information collection
- Expert banking details submission
These forms consolidate data for medical administration department review. After verification, the department submits payment requests to the financial department for final approval and bank transfer processing.
Workflow Implementation
Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital Consultation Fee Payment Process
1. Consultation Department Submits Basic Information
Captures consultation details and expert service schedule.
2. Consulting Expert Provides Banking Information
Experts submit professional credentials and account details.
3. Medical Administration Submits Transfer Request
After verification, the department submits approved transfer applications to financial within 5 working days.
4. Financial Department Completes Transfer
Final approval and fund disbursement processing.
Template Sharing
We are sharing this template to assist peer institutions:
https://cli.im/share/TfUBWtI