Hospitals often experience revenue leakage across departments like the laboratory, pharmacy, and scans due to a lack of financial discipline and control structures. Inefficient patient discharge processes also lead to poor utilization of inpatient rooms. To improve inpatient revenue management, hospitals should closely monitor critical parameters of inpatient services, define metrics to oversee patient discharge procedures, introduce transparency in billing and collections, and enhance communication between departments.

1. REVENUE MANAGEMENT FOR HOSPITALS AN OVERVIEW.
By Mahboob Ali Khan
FOR MOST HOSPITALS, INPATIENT REVENUE CONSTITUTES
CHUNK OF HOSPITAL INCOME. HOWEVER DUE TO LACK OF
FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL STRUCTURES, IT IS OFTEN
FOUND THAT REVENUE LEAKAGE HAPPENS IN ALL CONNECTING
DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS LABORATORY, FINANCE, PHARMACY,
SCAN ETC.
That besides, inefficient processes in patient discharge relate to poor utilization of
inpatient room facilities, be it general ward or special rooms.
Improve in-patient revenue management
Closely monitor parameters critical to hospital in-patient services
Define matrices to monitor patient discharge procedures
Introduce transparency in billing payment collection
Improved communication and coordination between various departments.
Training on hospital policies regarding in-patient management
In patient case sheets management
Proper accountability for in-patient return of medicines
Timely update of charges related to in-patient services
Formulate standardized procedures for in-patient advance collection
Timely follow up for discharged patient outstanding bills
Imparting adequate knowledge to prepare discharge bills
Improved communication between wards and front office on patient
discharge
Stock inventory control at nursing stations