🏥 Complete Hospital Flow Guide

All Departments —
Patient Flow & Software Design

Every department, every role, every data flow — from patient entry to GST filing, ABHA claims, and payroll.

OPDIPDEmergency Pharmacy + GSTLaboratory RadiologyBlood Bank MHRDHRMS AccountsInsuranceABHA
// Complete Hospital — All Department Connections
💡

The hospital is one connected system. A single patient visit touches 8–12 departments. The MRN (Medical Record Number) is the common key that ties everything together. Every department screen shows the same patient, just from their own angle.

ENTRY POINTS
🚶Walk-in OPD
·
📅Pre-booked
·
🚨Emergency
·
🏥Referred In
↓ All go through Reception (Emergency bypasses to Triage)
🏥RECEPTION & REGISTRATION
MRN + ABHA link
🩺OPD CONSULTATION
Doctor examines
DOCTOR DECISION → ALL PATHS BRANCH HERE
PATH A
💊PHARMACY
Medicines
💰BILLING
Pay & go home
PATH B
🧪LABORATORY
Blood/urine tests
🩻RADIOLOGY
Imaging
💊PHARMACY
+ Billing
PATH C
🛏IPD ADMIT
Bed allocated
🩸BLOOD BANK
If surgery/trauma
⚗️LAB+RADIO
From bedside
🔪SURGERY OT
If needed
📋DISCHARGE
Summary + Bill
PATH D
👨‍⚕️SPECIALIST
Cardio/Ortho etc
🔁REJOINS
Path A/B/C
EMERG
🚨TRIAGE
P1/P2/P3/P4
💊EMERGENCY
Pharmacy STAT
🩸BLOOD BANK
Cross-match STAT
BACKEND — ALL DEPTS FEED THESE SYSTEMS
💰BILLING &
ACCOUNTS
🛡INSURANCE
& TPA
🇮🇳ABHA &
ABDM CLAIM
📄GST RETURNS
GSTR-1 & 3B
👥HRMS &
PAYROLL
📋MHRD
MRD RECORDS
📌 The 3 Golden Rules of Hospital Software

🔑 Rule 1: One MRN

  • Every patient gets ONE unique MRN at first visit
  • Every department uses the same MRN
  • No re-registration in Lab, Pharmacy, Radiology
  • Doctor's order carries MRN automatically
  • Billing auto-pulls all charges by MRN

⚡ Rule 2: Auto-Charging

  • Every service auto-creates a billing entry
  • Pharmacy sale → stock deducted + bill entry
  • Lab test completed → bill entry created
  • Bed day passes → bill entry created at midnight
  • Billing staff only collects, doesn't manually enter

📜 Rule 3: Full Audit Trail

  • Every action recorded: who, what, when, from where
  • Medicine given → nurse name + exact time recorded
  • Prescription changed → old value preserved
  • Discount given → approver name logged
  • Required for NABH, NABL, legal compliance
// Pharmacy — Medicine Management + GST Filing
💊

Pharmacy is a shop inside the hospital. It buys medicines (Purchase), stores them (Inventory), sells them (Dispensing), and must file GST returns just like any business. The GST reports (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B) come directly from pharmacy sales data.

💊 Part 1: Pharmacy Operations Flow
01

Medicine Purchase (Procurement)

Pharmacy places Purchase Order (PO) to medicine supplier/distributor:
→ Select medicines needed (system shows low-stock alerts automatically)
→ PO approved by pharmacy in-charge or purchase committee
→ Supplier delivers with invoice + batch details
GRN (Goods Receipt Note) created: batch number, expiry date, quantity, purchase price
→ Stock added to inventory. GSTIN of supplier recorded — this is needed for Input Tax Credit (ITC)

Purchase OrderGRNSupplier GSTINITC Eligible
02

Inventory Management

Each medicine tracked by batch number + expiry date (FEFO — First Expiry First Out):
→ System auto-alerts when stock falls below reorder level
→ System auto-alerts for medicines expiring within 60/30/15 days
Cold chain medicines tracked separately (temperature-sensitive vaccines, insulin etc.)
→ Monthly stock audit: physical count vs system count → discrepancies investigated

FEFO StockExpiry AlertLow Stock AlertCold Chain
03

Dispensing — OPD (Against Prescription)

Patient brings prescription (or pharmacist sees it on screen by MRN):
→ Pharmacist scans or enters MRN → prescription appears on screen
→ System checks stock availability for each medicine
→ Pharmacist selects batch (system suggests earliest expiry batch first)
Substitution alert: if generic available, show option (with doctor's approval flag)
→ Bill generated → stock deducted → GST calculated per medicine HSN code

Prescription LinkedStock Auto-DeductedHSN + GST
04

Dispensing — IPD (From Ward)

For admitted patients, medicines dispensed to ward:
→ Doctor writes medication order in Treatment Chart
→ Pharmacy receives ward indent automatically
→ Pharmacist prepares and sends to ward with indent slip
→ Nurse receives, records in MAR (Medication Administration Record)
→ Each dispensing auto-adds to patient's running IPD bill
Controlled drugs (narcotics/psychotropics) require special register + dual signature

Ward IndentRunning BillControlled Drugs Register
05

Returns & Adjustments

When IPD patient is discharged — unused medicines returned to pharmacy:
→ Ward nurse returns medicines with return slip
→ Pharmacist verifies and accepts (only unopened, unexpired medicines accepted)
→ Stock added back. Credit note issued → deducted from patient's final bill
→ GST adjustment done via credit note (reflected in GSTR-1 as negative sale)
→ Expired medicines separately written off → destruction record maintained

Credit NoteGST AdjustedDestruction Record

📄 Part 2: GST Reports — GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B COMPLIANCE
⚠️

Hospital pharmacy is GST-registered as a business. Medicines have different GST rates (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%). The software must track GST on every sale and purchase, and auto-generate GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B reports for filing.

Medicine GST Rate Slab (Common Examples)
Medicine Category GST Rate Example HSN Code Range
Life-saving drugs, vaccines 0% (Exempt) Insulin, certain vaccines, blood products 3002, 3006
Medicines notified at 5% 5% Ayurvedic, common OTC drugs, some branded 3003, 3004
Medicines at 12% 12% Most finished pharmaceutical products 3004
Medical devices / consumables 12% / 18% Syringes, gloves, IV sets, implants 9018, 9021
Surgical instruments 12% Scalpels, forceps, sutures 9018
Hospital services (OPD/IPD) Exempt Consultation, nursing charges, bed charges N/A
GSTR-1 — Outward Sales Report (Filed Monthly / Quarterly)

📤 GSTR-1: What you reported as SALES

GSTR-1 captures every medicine/consumable sale made by the pharmacy. The software auto-generates this from daily sales transactions.

Data auto-captured from pharmacy sales:
  • Invoice number, date, patient name
  • HSN/SAC code per medicine
  • Taxable value (sale price before GST)
  • CGST + SGST amount (intra-state) or IGST (inter-state)
  • Credit notes (medicine returns)
  • B2B sales (if any) with buyer GSTIN
  • B2C sales (individual patients — grouped)
GSTR-1 Tables auto-filled:
  • Table 4: B2B invoices (taxable outward supplies)
  • Table 5: Inter-state B2C (>₹2.5 lakh)
  • Table 7: B2C small (all individual patient sales)
  • Table 9: Credit/debit notes (medicine returns)
  • Table 12: HSN-wise summary (all GST rates)
  • Table 13: Nil-rated / exempt sales
GSTR-3B — Summary Return (Filed Monthly)

📊 GSTR-3B: Summary of all GST liability and ITC

GSTR-3B is a monthly self-declaration summary. The software computes all figures automatically from pharmacy sales + purchases.

3.1 — Outward Supplies Tax

  • Total taxable sales (medicine + consumables)
  • Break-up: 0% / 5% / 12% / 18% slabs
  • Exempt sales (hospital services)
  • CGST payable + SGST payable
  • IGST payable (inter-state purchases)

4 — Input Tax Credit (ITC)

  • GST paid on medicine purchases from suppliers
  • Only eligible if supplier filed GSTR-1 (auto-matched)
  • Blocked credit: medicines used for exempt services
  • Net ITC available = purchases GST − blocked
  • Net GST payable = Output tax − ITC
⚡ Net Tax Payable Formula: GST Collected on Sales (Output Tax) — GST Paid on Purchases (Input Tax Credit) = Amount to Pay to Government. If ITC > Output, you get a refund or carry-forward.
Software: How GST Reports Are Generated

Every pharmacy sale auto-records GST data

When pharmacist bills a medicine: system looks up medicine master → finds HSN code + GST rate → calculates CGST/SGST or IGST → saves to sale_gst_details table → adds to running GST ledger

Auto-calculatedHSN MasterSaved to GST Ledger

Month-end: Finance team clicks "Generate GSTR-1"

System aggregates all sales of the month → groups by HSN → separates B2B and B2C → includes credit notes → exports as JSON file (GST portal format) or Excel ready to upload to GST portal (www.gst.gov.in)

JSON ExportExcel ExportGST Portal Ready

Month-end: Finance team clicks "Generate GSTR-3B"

System calculates: total output GST (from sales) − total ITC (from purchase invoices where supplier GSTIN was captured) = net GST payable. Shows breakup in 3B format. Accountant reviews, makes payment via GST portal, then files 3B.

Output - ITC = Payable3B FormatPay & File
Key Data Points Required in Pharmacy Master
Field Why Needed Example
HSN Code Required in every GST invoice and GSTR-1 Table 12 30049099 (general pharma)
GST Rate To calculate CGST/SGST/IGST on each sale 12% → 6% CGST + 6% SGST
Supplier GSTIN To claim ITC on purchases — mandatory 27AABCU9603R1ZX
Purchase Invoice No GSTR-2A reconciliation with supplier's GSTR-1 SUP/2026/001234
Batch Number For drug regulatory compliance + recall tracking BT2026031
MRP Cannot sell above MRP — legal requirement ₹250.00
Schedule H/H1/X Prescription-only drugs tracking + narcotics register Schedule H = prescription only
// Laboratory — From Test Order to Report
🧪

Laboratory is triggered by a doctor's order. The doctor orders a test in OPD or IPD → Lab receives the order on their screen → collects sample → runs test → enters result → report auto-generated → doctor notified. Patient never needs to explain why they're there — the order says everything.

01

Doctor Orders Lab Tests (From OPD or IPD)

Doctor selects tests from Lab Test Catalog (CBC, LFT, KFT, Thyroid Profile, HbA1c, Culture & Sensitivity, Urine Routine etc.)
Order saved → Lab Work Order created with MRN, ordering doctor, ward/OPD, priority (ROUTINE / URGENT / STAT)
STAT = results within 1–2 hours (for emergency or critical IPD patients)

Lab Order CreatedSTAT PriorityLinked to MRN
02

Sample Collection

Lab technician or phlebotomist goes to patient (IPD) or patient comes to collection counter (OPD):
→ Scans patient wristband or enters MRN → order appears on tablet/screen
→ Collects correct tube type (Red cap = serum, Purple cap = CBC, Green cap = plasma etc.)
Labels tubes with barcode (auto-generated by system — prevents mix-up)
→ Marks "Sample Collected" with timestamp → system updates order status
→ For urine/stool: gives labelled container, patient collects themselves

Barcode LabelsTimestamp LoggedTube Type Guided
03

Sample Processing in Lab

Barcoded tubes scanned into analyser machines:
Auto-analysers (Haematology, Biochemistry, Immunology) send results directly to LIS (Lab Information System) via interface
→ For manual tests (culture, histopathology, smear): tech enters results manually
Delta check: system compares today's result with patient's previous result — flags if abnormal change detected

LIS InterfaceAuto-AnalyserDelta Check
04

Result Validation by Pathologist

Before any report is released:
→ Senior lab tech or pathologist reviews results on screen
Critical value alert: if Potassium > 6.5, Glucose < 50, Haemoglobin < 5 etc. → system marks as CRITICAL → phone call made to doctor immediately (documented in system)
→ Pathologist digitally signs and validates the report
→ Report status changes from "Pending" → "Verified" → "Released"

Critical Value AlertPathologist SignsReport Released
05

Report Delivery

Report available via multiple channels:
Doctor's screen: instant notification when report released — doctor sees result in OPD/IPD screen
Print: patient collects printed report at lab counter
WhatsApp/SMS/Email: PDF sent to patient's registered mobile
Patient portal: downloadable from hospital app/website
ABHA: if linked, report pushed to patient's ABHA health locker
Charges auto-added to patient's OPD bill or IPD running bill.

Doctor NotifiedWhatsApp PDFABHA SyncAuto-Billed

🏗 Lab Module Features

  • Test Catalog: 500+ tests with reference ranges (gender/age-specific)
  • Panels/Profiles: Liver panel = LFT+Albumin+PT (ordered together)
  • Turnaround Time (TAT): Tracked per test — alerts if TAT breached
  • Outsourced tests: Tests sent to reference lab — tracked and billed
  • NABL compliance: SOP tracking, reagent lot recording, QC logs
  • Culture sensitivity: Antibiogram with recommended antibiotics

📋 NABL Compliance Records (Auto-Maintained)

  • QC (Quality Control) daily logs per test
  • Reagent batch and expiry tracking
  • Equipment calibration records
  • Proficiency testing participation records
  • Corrective action logs for failed QC
  • Analyst competency records
// Radiology — Imaging Orders, PACS & Reports
🩻

Radiology handles all imaging — X-Ray, Ultrasound (USG), CT Scan, MRI, Mammography, Fluoroscopy, Echo. Doctor orders imaging → Radiology schedules and performs → Radiologist reports → Report delivered to doctor and patient. Images stored in PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

01

Imaging Order from OPD/IPD/Emergency

Doctor selects investigation (X-Ray Chest PA, USG Abdomen, HRCT Chest, MRI Brain with contrast etc.)
→ Order sent to Radiology worklist automatically
Clinical indication mandatory (e.g., "cough 3 months" for chest X-ray) — needed for radiologist's report
→ For contrast studies: allergies and creatinine level checked automatically from EMR
Pregnancy check alert for female patients below 50 (X-ray/CT involve radiation)

Worklist UpdatedPregnancy AlertContrast Check
02

Patient Scheduling & Preparation

For simple X-ray/USG: patient walks in, no appointment needed
For CT/MRI: appointment scheduled (machine availability + preparation needs)
→ Preparation instructions sent via SMS (fasting for USG abdomen, no metal for MRI etc.)
MRI safety screening: pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia check — documented in system
→ Radiology receptionist marks patient as "Arrived" on worklist

Appointment ScheduledMRI Safety ScreenSMS Instructions
03

Image Acquisition

Radiographer/technician performs imaging:
→ Patient positioned, image taken
DICOM images automatically sent to PACS server from modality (X-Ray machine, CT, MRI)
→ Images tagged with patient MRN (worklist pre-loaded via RIS-PACS interface)
No mis-tagging: patient MRN from order → confirmed on machine → image sent to PACS
→ Technician marks "Images Acquired" on system

DICOM → PACSRIS-PACS InterfaceMRN Tagged
04

Radiologist Reporting

Radiologist opens PACS viewer on their workstation (or remote/teleradiology):
→ Sees patient history and clinical indication alongside images
Dictates report (voice recognition software types it) or types directly
→ Report structured: Technique → Findings → Impression → Recommendation
→ Radiologist digitally signs report → status changes to "Reported"
Urgent/critical findings (pneumothorax, aortic aneurysm etc.) → immediate phone call to referring doctor + documented

Voice RecognitionCritical Finding AlertDigital Signature
05

Report Delivery & Image Access

→ Doctor notified on their screen — can view report AND images from OPD/IPD station via PACS viewer
→ Patient gets printed report + CD/DVD with DICOM images (or soft copy QR link)
→ Images archived in PACS for 5–10 years (medicolegal requirement)
→ Previous imaging available for comparison automatically when same patient returns
→ ABHA-linked patients: report + images pushed to ABHA health locker

PACS ViewerCD/QR Images10yr ArchiveABHA Push

🖥 Modalities Managed

  • X-Ray (CR/DR) — most common, instant result
  • USG — abdomen, obstetric, cardiac (Echo), MSK
  • CT Scan — plain and contrast (head, chest, abdomen)
  • MRI — brain, spine, joints (requires scheduling)
  • Fluoroscopy — barium swallow, IVP, cystourethrogram
  • Mammography — breast screening
  • PET-CT — oncology (outsourced usually)

⚙️ PACS Integration Points

  • PACS server (Orthanc open-source or commercial)
  • DICOM worklist from RIS to all modalities
  • HL7 messages for study create/update
  • Web viewer (OHIFViewer) for all departments
  • CD burning station at radiology counter
  • Teleradiology: remote radiologist API access
  • ABHA PHR: FHIR DiagnosticReport + ImagingStudy
// Blood Bank — Donation, Testing, Issue & Transfusion
🩸

Blood Bank is the most critically regulated department. Every unit of blood must be fully traceable — from donor to recipient. A single transfusion error can be fatal. The software must enforce every safety check and maintain complete chain-of-custody records mandated by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

🩸 Blood Bank Flow
01

Blood Donation (In-house or Camp)

→ Donor registration: Name, Age, Address, Blood Group, previous donations
Donor screening: Weight, Hb, BP, pulse — system enforces eligibility (Hb ≥ 12.5g, Weight ≥ 45 kg, BP normal, no donation in last 90 days)
Medical history questionnaire: HIV risk, jaundice, malaria, tattoo, travel history
→ Donation done → unit labelled with unique Donation ID (barcode)
→ Donor certificate auto-generated + refreshment coupon issued

Eligibility CheckDonation IDDonor Certificate
02

Mandatory Testing (Every Unit)

Every donated unit must be tested before use — mandatory by law (Drugs & Cosmetics Act):
HIV (ELISA + NAT) → Hepatitis B (HBsAg) → Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV) → Syphilis (VDRL) → Malaria (MP antigen)
ABO & Rh typing of donor unit (confirmed twice)
→ Results entered in system → Reactive unit: quarantined, destroyed, donor notified confidentially
Non-reactive unit: label updated to "Safe" → moved to approved inventory

5 Mandatory TestsReactive = QuarantineNon-reactive = Safe
03

Component Preparation

One whole blood unit is processed into components (maximizes utility):
PRBC (Packed Red Blood Cells) — for anaemia, surgery bleeding
FFP (Fresh Frozen Plasma) — for clotting disorders
Platelets (Random Donor Platelet / Single Donor Platelet) — for dengue, chemo patients
Cryoprecipitate — for haemophilia
Each component gets its own barcode label + expiry date. Stored at specific temperatures (PRBC at 2–6°C, FFP at −18°C, Platelets at 22°C with agitation).

PRBCFFPPlateletsCryoTemp Monitoring
04

Blood Request from Wards / OT

Doctor/nurse sends blood request from patient's IPD screen:
Request includes: Patient MRN, blood group, component needed, quantity, urgency (ROUTINE/URGENT/EMERGENCY), clinical indication
→ Blood Bank receives request → system checks patient's blood group in EMR
Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule (MSBOS): system suggests how many units typically needed for that surgery type

Blood RequestMSBOS GuideUrgency Flag
05

Cross-Matching (Most Critical Step)

This is where transfusion errors are prevented:
→ Blood Bank receives patient's blood sample (fresh sample — collected within 72 hours)
→ Technician performs ABO/Rh typing of patient (re-confirmed, not just from record)
Cross-match test: patient's serum + donor's red cells → if no reaction → COMPATIBLE
→ System records: which unit was cross-matched against which patient
Incompatible result: unit rejected, new unit selected, re-tested
→ Compatible unit: cross-match tag issued, unit reserved for patient for 24 hrs

ABO Re-typedCross-match DoneCompatible = Reserved
06

Issue & Transfusion (Final Step)

→ Blood Bank issues unit with Issue Slip to ward/OT
→ Nurse receives: performs bedside verification (patient name + blood group on label vs wristband — checked by TWO nurses)
→ Transfusion started → Transfusion record in system: start time, end time, vitals during transfusion, any reactions
Transfusion reaction: if fever/chills/urticaria → stop transfusion → report to Blood Bank + doctor → investigation
→ Completed: "Transfused" status in system. Full traceability: donor→ unit → patient

Dual Nurse CheckReaction MonitoringFull Traceability

📊 Regulatory Registers (Auto-Maintained in Software)

  • Donor Register: All donations, donor details, deferral reasons
  • Blood Bank Stock Register: All units in stock with status (Testing/Approved/Reserved/Issued/Expired)
  • Issue Register: Every unit issued, to which patient, cross-match details
  • Discard Register: Expired, reactive, or wastage units with reason and authorisation
  • Transfusion Reaction Register: All adverse reactions investigated
  • Temperature Monitoring Log: Continuous refrigerator/freezer temperature (IoT sensor optional)
// MHRD — Medical Records Department
📋

MHRD (Medical Records Department) is the hospital's memory. Every patient file, every discharge summary, every death certificate is stored and managed here. For digital HMIS, MHRD is the EMR management team — they ensure records are complete, coded, and retrievable. They also handle medicolegal cases.

01

Medical Record Assembly (After Discharge)

After IPD patient is discharged:
→ MHRD staff receives notification → opens patient's digital record
Checks for completeness: Is discharge summary signed? Are nursing notes complete? Lab reports attached? Consent forms scanned?
Incomplete record alert: sent to treating doctor to complete within 24 hours (NABH standard)
→ Once complete → record "Locked" (no further edits without medical superintendent approval)

Completeness Check24hr Completion SLARecord Locked
02

ICD-10 / ICD-11 Coding

Every discharge diagnosis must be coded using ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases):
→ Coder reads discharge summary → assigns ICD codes for principal diagnosis + co-morbidities
→ Procedure coding: ICD-10-PCS or CPT codes for insurance claims
→ Software has ICD-10 lookup with search → coder selects → code linked to episode
Why this matters: insurance reimbursement (TPA), government schemes (Ayushman Bharat), epidemiology data, hospital performance reports

ICD-10 CodesCPT CodesInsurance Required
03

Medicolegal Case (MLC) Management

When patient comes due to accident, assault, rape, suspicious death:
→ Case tagged as MLC at registration
→ Police intimation mandatory (system generates MLC form/report)
→ Special documentation: Injury description, time of examination, clothing condition, seizure of exhibits
→ Record cannot be shared without court order (access restricted in system)
→ Forensic reports, death certificate, post-mortem referral tracked

MLC TagPolice IntimationRestricted Access
04

Death Records & Certificates

When a patient dies in hospital:
→ Doctor records death in system with Cause of Death (ICD coded)
Death Summary generated (required for burial/cremation permission)
Death Certificate issued — linked to Aadhaar, ABHA, Civil Registration System
→ For medico-legal deaths: police intimation + post-mortem referral auto-triggered
Maternal/Neonatal deaths flagged separately for CMO/government reporting

Death CertificateCMO ReportMLC Trigger
05

Record Request & Release

Patients / lawyers / insurance / other hospitals may request records:
→ Request registered in system with purpose and requester details
Patient/guardian consent mandatory before release
→ Records released only as certified copies (not originals) — watermarked, stamped
→ All releases logged: who requested, what was provided, when, authorised by whom
Third party requests (insurance, court): formal letter + processing fee required

Consent RequiredCertified CopyRelease Log

📂 Documents in Patient's EMR

  • Registration form + Photo ID copy
  • Consent forms (admission, surgery, HIV testing)
  • OPD case sheets (all visits)
  • IPD case summary + nursing notes
  • Lab reports + radiology reports + images
  • Operation notes + anaesthesia record
  • Discharge summary (doctor signed)
  • Referral letters (in and out)
  • Insurance pre-auth + claim documents

📊 NABH Indicators MHRD Tracks

  • Discharge summary completion within 24 hrs rate
  • Medical record completeness rate
  • Consent form availability rate
  • MLC cases intimated to police rate
  • Death records completion rate
  • ICD coding accuracy rate
  • Record retrieval turnaround time
// HRMS — Human Resource Management System
👥

HRMS manages all hospital staff — from doctor to housekeeping. Attendance, shifts, leave, payroll, PF, ESI, TDS — all automated. In a hospital, wrong shift management = patient safety risk, so this module is directly linked to operations.

01

Employee Master & Onboarding

When a new staff member joins:
→ Profile created: Personal details, Qualifications (MBBS/MD/GNM/Diploma), Registrations (MCI/NMC/State Nursing Council number)
Credential verification: system tracks if registration is valid/expired (important for doctors — MCI/NMC renewal mandatory)
→ Department, Designation, Grade, Reporting Manager assigned
→ System account created automatically (HMIS login, email, ID card) → role assigned = access control activated
Joining documents scanned and stored: Aadhaar, PAN, degree certificates, experience letters

Employee ProfileCredentials VerifiedAuto HMIS Account
02

Shift & Roster Management

Critical for hospital operations — ICU, Emergency, and wards must have staff 24×7:
→ Shift templates: Morning (8am–2pm), Evening (2pm–8pm), Night (8pm–8am), 24hr
→ Roster created monthly by head nurse/admin → published 7 days in advance
Understaffing alert: system warns if below minimum staffing per ward
Overtime tracking: if >8hrs or called on off-day → overtime rate applied in payroll
→ Swap requests: staff can request shift swaps → supervisor approval in app → roster auto-updated

Roster ManagementUnderstaffing AlertOvertime Tracked
03

Attendance — Biometric / App

Biometric devices (fingerprint/face) at entry/exit points → attendance auto-recorded
Mobile app check-in with GPS for field staff or WFH cases
→ Late arrival / early departure flagged automatically
Absenteeism triggers: if nurse doesn't check in for shift → head nurse notified immediately → emergency replacement arranged
→ Monthly attendance report for payroll processing

BiometricMobile AppAbsenteeism Alert
04

Leave Management

Leave types configured: CL (Casual Leave), SL (Sick Leave), EL (Earned Leave), Maternity, Paternity, Compensatory Off
→ Employee applies via app → Supervisor approves/rejects
Leave balance auto-updated → accrual calculated monthly
Leave encashment: at year-end or resignation → calculated automatically
→ Leave calendar visible to team → helps with roster planning
LWP (Leave Without Pay): auto-deducted from salary when leave balance zero

Leave TypesBalance TrackedLWP Auto
05

Payroll Processing

At month-end, payroll is processed automatically:
Gross Salary = Basic + HRA + Allowances (Transport, Medical, Special)
Deductions = PF (12% of Basic) + ESI (if salary ≤ ₹21,000: 0.75%) + TDS (Income Tax) + Professional Tax + LWP deductions
Net Salary = Gross − Deductions
Payslip auto-generated as PDF → emailed to employee
Bank transfer file generated (NEFT/IMPS format) for finance team
PF challan auto-generated for EPFO portal submission
ESI challan auto-generated for ESIC portal

Auto PayrollPayslip PDFPF ChallanESI ChallanTDS
06

Statutory Compliance Auto-Generated

Software auto-generates all mandatory government filings:
Form 24Q: Quarterly TDS return to Income Tax dept (salary TDS)
Form 16: Annual TDS certificate to each employee (for their IT return)
ECR (Electronic Challan cum Return): Monthly PF return to EPFO
ESI Return: Half-yearly return to ESIC
Professional Tax return (state-specific)
Appointment letters, increment letters, experience letters: auto-generated from templates

Form 24QForm 16ECR/EPFOESI Return
// Accounts — Financial Management & Reporting
📊

Accounts module is the financial backbone. Every transaction in the hospital — OPD fee, IPD bill, pharmacy sale, salary, supplier payment — flows into the accounts module as a journal entry. The system maintains the complete General Ledger and generates P&L, Balance Sheet, and cash flow reports.

01

Chart of Accounts (COA) Setup

One-time setup by the accountant — defines all account heads:
Income heads: OPD Revenue, IPD Revenue, Pharmacy Sales, Lab Revenue, Radiology Revenue, Blood Bank Revenue
Expense heads: Salaries, Medicine Purchase, Utilities, Maintenance, Equipment, Consumables
Asset heads: Equipment, Building, Bank, Accounts Receivable (TPA pending)
Liability heads: Accounts Payable (supplier dues), TDS Payable, GST Payable, Loans

COA SetupIncome HeadsExpense Heads
02

Auto Journal Entries (From All Modules)

Every transaction in HMIS auto-creates a journal entry — accountant never enters manually:
→ Patient pays OPD bill → Dr Cash / Bank, Cr OPD Revenue
→ Pharmacy buys medicines → Dr Medicine Stock, Cr Accounts Payable (Supplier)
→ Supplier paid → Dr Accounts Payable, Cr Bank
→ Salary processed → Dr Salary Expense, Cr Staff Payable, Cr TDS Payable
→ TDS deposited → Dr TDS Payable, Cr Bank
→ TPA settles insurance → Dr Bank (TPA), Cr Accounts Receivable (TPA)

Auto JournalDouble EntryNo Manual Entry
03

Accounts Receivable (Money Coming In)

Tracks all money owed to the hospital:
TPA/Insurance pending: IPD bills submitted to TPA → claim under process → aging report shows how long pending
Government scheme pending: PMJAY/Ayushman claims submitted → waiting for settlement
Corporate/credit patients: Companies with tie-up — monthly invoice raised
Dunning alerts: automatic reminders for overdue TPA payments > 30 / 60 / 90 days

TPA AgingDunning AlertsCorporate Billing
04

Accounts Payable (Money Going Out)

Tracks all amounts owed to suppliers:
→ Medicine supplier invoice received → GRN matched → payable created
3-way matching: PO vs GRN vs Invoice → only then payment approved
→ Payment terms tracked (Net 30, Net 60) → alert before due date
→ Cheque/NEFT payment processed → supplier ledger updated → GST ITC booking done
→ Monthly supplier outstanding report → reconciliation with supplier's statement

3-Way MatchPayment Due AlertSupplier Ledger
05

Financial Reports (Auto-Generated)

End of day / month / year — reports generated with one click:
Daily Collection Report: Cash + Card + UPI + Insurance received today per department
P&L Statement: Revenue − Expenses = Net Profit (by month, quarter, year)
Balance Sheet: Assets = Liabilities + Equity (as of any date)
Cash Flow Statement: Operating + Investing + Financing cash flows
Department-wise Revenue: Which dept earns most? (OPD, Pharmacy, Lab, IPD)
Doctor-wise Revenue: Contribution of each doctor (for incentive calculation)

P&LBalance SheetCash FlowDept-wise

📋 Tax Compliance from Accounts

  • TDS Returns: 26Q (vendor TDS), 24Q (salary TDS) quarterly
  • Form 16A: TDS certificate to vendors annually
  • Income Tax: Advance tax calculation quarterly
  • GSTR-1, 3B: From pharmacy sales (see Pharmacy tab)
  • GSTR-9: Annual GST return reconciliation
  • Audit Trail: All entries logged for CA audit

📈 Key Financial KPIs Dashboard

  • Revenue per bed per day (RPBD)
  • Average Revenue per Patient
  • Collection efficiency (billed vs collected)
  • TPA settlement rate and days outstanding
  • Pharmacy gross margin %
  • Salary as % of revenue (benchmark: 35–45%)
  • EBITDA margin % (benchmark: 15–25%)
// Insurance & TPA — Pre-Auth to Claim Settlement
🛡

Insurance/TPA module manages cashless hospitalization and reimbursement claims. The hospital empanels with insurance companies through TPAs (Third Party Administrators). When an insured patient gets admitted, the hospital can claim the bill directly from TPA — patient pays only non-covered amounts.

🛡 Insurance Flow — Step by Step
01

Patient Insurance Verification (At Admission)

When patient presents insurance card at admission:
→ Enter policy number or scan e-card → system calls TPA API to verify in real time
→ Checks: Is policy active?Sum Insured remaining?Is this hospital empanelled?Is this condition covered? (e.g., pre-existing conditions may have waiting period)
Co-pay percentage identified (patient bears this %)
→ Maternity benefits, room rent limits, sub-limits noted
→ Patient and attender briefed on what is covered vs what they pay

Real-time VerifyCoverage CheckCo-pay Identified
02

Pre-Authorization Request (Before Treatment)

For planned procedures and IPD admissions — pre-auth is mandatory:
→ Billing staff fills pre-auth form: Patient details + Policy details + Diagnosis + Proposed treatment + Estimated cost
→ Sent to TPA via system integration (API or email)
TPA responds within 2–24 hours with: Approved amount + Conditions (specific room type, excluded items)
→ Approved amount displayed on patient's billing screen — guides treatment planning
→ For emergency: provisional approval taken, detailed pre-auth follows within 24 hrs

Pre-Auth SentTPA ApprovesAmount Authorized
03

Enhancement (If Bill Exceeds Pre-Auth)

If during treatment the bill is likely to exceed approved amount:
→ Billing staff submits enhancement request with justification (complication occurred, longer stay needed)
→ TPA reviews and approves additional amount or declines
Interim billing: for long stays (>7 days), TPA may request interim bill to process partial payment
→ System tracks approved vs actual bill in real time → alerts when 80% of approved amount used

Enhancement Request80% AlertInterim Billing
04

Discharge Claim Submission

At discharge, claim package assembled by system:
Claim form (TPA-specific format)
Discharge summary (doctor signed)
All bills (itemized: bed, medicine, lab, OT etc.)
Investigation reports (lab, X-ray)
Pre-auth approval letter
→ KYC documents (Aadhaar, policy card)
→ Submitted digitally via TPA portal or API → Claim ID received
→ Patient pays co-pay + any non-covered items → exits hospital

Claim PackageClaim IDPatient Pays Co-pay
05

Claim Tracking & Settlement

After submission, track claim status in system:
Query raised: TPA asks for missing document → system alerts billing team → documents submitted
Approved: settlement amount confirmed → TPA pays to hospital bank account
Partially approved: TPA disallows certain items (e.g., excluded consumables) → difference charged to patient or written off
Rejected: full claim denied → hospital may contest or charge patient
→ Settled amounts auto-reconciled with Accounts module → AR closed
Aging report: claims pending >30/60/90 days → escalation triggered

Settled → AR ClosedQuery ManagementRejection Handling
Scheme Type Process Difference Who Pays Hospital
Private Insurance (Mediclaim) Cashless or Reimbursement Pre-auth via TPA portal/API TPA (within 15–45 days)
Ayushman Bharat / PMJAY Cashless (Govt scheme) PMJAY portal pre-auth, package rates fixed State Health Agency (45–60 days)
CGHS (Central Govt) Cashless or Reimbursement CGHS referral letter needed, rate card fixed CGHS office (60–90 days)
ESI (Employee State Insurance) Cashless ESI card, treatment only at empanelled hospitals ESIC regional office
Corporate Tie-up Credit (monthly billing) Company ID verified, monthly invoice to company Company HR/Finance (30 days)
// ABHA & ABDM — India's National Digital Health Ecosystem
🇮🇳

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is India's national health ID — like Aadhaar but for health records. ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) is the platform that lets patients link their health records from ANY hospital to their ABHA ID. Your HMIS must connect to ABDM to be compliant with NHA guidelines.

01

ABHA ID — Creation or Linking at Registration

When patient registers:
→ Receptionist asks: "Do you have an ABHA ID?"
New ABHA ID: Patient gives Aadhaar → OTP sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile → ABHA ID created (14-digit number like 12-3456-7890-1234) → stored against MRN
Existing ABHA ID: Enter ABHA ID/mobile → OTP verified → linked to hospital MRN
→ Voluntary — cannot be forced, but incentivized (faster claim processing, no repeat history-telling)
ABHA Address: Custom address like "ramesh@sbx" (like email for health data)

ABHA ID CreatedAadhaar OTPLinked to MRN
02

Hospital Registration as HIP (Health Information Provider)

One-time setup — hospital registers with ABDM as a Health Information Provider (HIP):
→ Hospital gets HIP ID on ABDM sandbox/production
HMIS integrates with ABDM gateway via APIs (NHA provides API documentation)
→ Linked facilities (branches) registered separately
→ Certificate installed (ABDM uses mutual TLS)
→ HMIS now becomes part of the national health network — can send AND receive patient records

HIP RegistrationABDM APImTLS Certificate
03

Consent Management (Patient Controls Data)

Before any health record is shared — patient must give consent:
→ Patient receives consent request on ABHA mobile app (or PHR app)
→ Patient reviews: which hospital is asking, what records, for what purpose, for how long
→ Patient approves → Consent Artefact created (digitally signed, time-limited)
→ Hospital can now share only the records specified in the consent
→ Patient can revoke consent any time → records access immediately blocked
→ All consents logged — audit trail maintained

Consent ArtefactPatient ControlsTime-LimitedRevocable
04

Health Records Pushed to ABHA (FHIR Format)

After patient consents, HMIS pushes records as FHIR R4 resources:
OPD Visit → FHIR Encounter + Condition (diagnosis) + Observation (vitals)
Prescription → FHIR MedicationRequest
Lab Report → FHIR DiagnosticReport + Observation (each result value)
Radiology Report → FHIR DiagnosticReport + ImagingStudy
Discharge Summary → FHIR Composition (document bundle)
Immunisation records → FHIR Immunization
Records available in patient's ABHA health locker — accessible from any ABDM-connected hospital

FHIR R4OPD / Lab / DischargePatient's Locker
05

Receiving Records from Other Hospitals (HIU)

Your hospital can also act as HIU (Health Information User) — fetch patient's records from OTHER hospitals:
→ Patient from another city comes for second opinion → doctor wants previous records
→ Doctor requests record access via HMIS → consent request sent to patient's ABHA app
→ Patient approves → FHIR records fetched from previous hospital's HMIS
→ Records displayed in doctor's screen alongside current visit
No fax, no CD, no carrying physical reports — digital, instant, standardized

HIU RequestConsent → FetchCross-Hospital Records
06

ABHA + Ayushman Bharat Claims (PMJAY)

For Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) patients:
→ Patient verified via ABHA ID + biometric (Aadhaar authentication at bedside)
→ Hospital raises claim on PMJAY portal / BIS (Beneficiary Identification System)
→ Claim includes: ICD codes + procedure codes + package code (PMJAY has fixed package rates for ~1,500+ procedures)
→ State Health Agency reviews and approves
→ Settlement via PFMS (Public Finance Management System) to hospital bank account
→ Complete claim journey tracked in Insurance module

PMJAY PortalPackage RatesState Health AgencyPFMS Settlement

🔗 ABDM APIs Your HMIS Needs

  • ABHA Creation API: Create ABHA via Aadhaar/mobile
  • ABHA Verification API: Verify existing ABHA at registration
  • Consent Manager API: Request, receive, store consent artefacts
  • Health Records API: Push FHIR bundles to HIE-CM
  • HIU API: Request and receive records from other HPs
  • PMJAY BIS API: Beneficiary verification for Ayushman
  • HPRID API: Doctor's Healthcare Professional Registry ID

📋 FHIR Resources Used

  • Patient — demographics + ABHA identifier
  • Practitioner — doctor details + HPR ID
  • Encounter — visit/admission record
  • Condition — diagnosis with ICD-10 code
  • Observation — vitals, lab values
  • MedicationRequest — prescriptions
  • DiagnosticReport — lab + radiology
  • Composition — discharge summary bundle
  • ImagingStudy — DICOM study reference
// Roles, Access & Cross-Department Connections
🏥
Hospital Admin
Full access. Config, reports, all modules. Cannot edit clinical notes.
💁
Receptionist
Patient registration, appointments, token, OPD billing collection.
🩺
Doctor (OPD)
Own patient queue, consultation, prescription, lab/radiology orders.
🛏
Doctor (IPD)
Ward rounds, treatment orders, discharge summary, death notes.
👩‍⚕️
Ward Nurse
Vitals, MAR (medicine giving), nursing notes, ward indent to pharmacy.
🚨
Emergency Nurse
Triage, emergency vitals, critical patient monitoring.
🧪
Lab Technician
Sample collection, result entry, QC logs. Cannot see billing.
🔬
Pathologist
Report validation, critical value calling, NABL audit. Signs reports.
🩻
Radiographer
Worklist management, image acquisition, marks study done.
📡
Radiologist
PACS access, report dictation, signs radiology reports.
🩸
Blood Bank Tech
Donation, testing, cross-match, issue. All transfusion records.
💊
Pharmacist
Dispensing, inventory, purchase. Sees prescriptions. GST data.
💰
Billing Staff
Invoice generation, payment collection, TPA pre-auth, claim submission.
📊
Accountant
GL, reports, payables, receivables, GST returns, financial statements.
📋
MRD Staff
Record assembly, ICD coding, record requests, death certificates, MLC.
👥
HR Manager
Employee records, attendance, leave approval, payroll, compliance.
🛡
Insurance Exec
TPA communication, pre-auth, claim submission, query responses.
🔑
Super Admin
Multi-hospital platform admin. Can access any hospital. Config only.

// Department Data Flow Summary
When this happens... These modules are triggered automatically
Patient registers Reception → ABHA Linking → Patient Profile in EMR
Doctor writes prescription OPD → Pharmacy (prescription visible) → ABHA (record pushed)
Doctor orders lab test OPD/IPD → Lab worklist → Billing (charge added) → ABHA (result pushed on release)
Doctor orders X-ray OPD/IPD → Radiology worklist → PACS → Billing (charge added) → ABHA
Patient admitted to IPD OPD → IPD Admission → Bed Management → Billing (running bill starts) → Insurance (pre-auth triggered)
Doctor orders blood IPD → Blood Bank (request) → Cross-match → Issue → Transfusion record → Billing
Medicine dispensed (OPD) Pharmacy → Stock deducted → GST ledger entry → Billing receipt
Medicine dispensed (IPD ward) Pharmacy → Ward indent → MAR in nursing → Running bill updated → GST ledger
Patient discharged IPD → Discharge summary (doctor) → Final bill (billing) → Insurance claim → ABHA discharge record → MRD assembly → Bed freed
Salary processed HRMS Payroll → Accounts (journal entry) → Bank transfer file → PF/ESI challan → TDS deducted
Supplier invoice received Pharmacy/Purchase → GRN → Accounts Payable → GST ITC booking → Payment due date set
Month end Accounts → GSTR-1 generated → GSTR-3B computed → P&L report → PF challan → ESI return