- PATIENT GUIDE
Your Care Journey,
Made Clear and Simple
A step-by-step guide to admission, billing, and discharge processes designed to help patients and families feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout their hospital stay.
From emergency admission to discharge clearance, we aim to make every step of your healthcare journey easier to understand. Explore our patient guidelines below for important procedures, payment information, room admission details, and discharge instructions to help you and your loved ones navigate your hospital experience with confidence.
Admission Process
What to expect before your hospital stay begins.
Step 1: Arrival at Emergency Room
- Patient arrives at the Emergency Room (ER) for possible admission.
Step 2: Patient Assessment
- ER physician and staff assess the patient’s condition.
- Initial medical evaluation and stabilization are performed if necessary.
Step 3: Patient Information Form
- Significant Other (SO) or watcher fills out the patient information form.
- Basic patient demographics and contact information are recorded.
Step 4: Proceed to Info-Admitting Unit
- Significant Other proceeds to the Info-Admitting Unit for:
- Room availability inquiry and rate discussion
You may choose from the following Room Types:
- Suite Room
- Private Room
- Semi-Private
- Ward
- Estimated procedure/hospital cost appraisal
- Explanation of Hospital Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Step 5: Admission & Billing Agreement
- Significant Other presents patient’s ID, Insurance ID if available
- Significant Other reviews hospital policies and billing details.
- Significant Other signs:
- Admission Agreement
- Billing Agreement
Step 6: Return to Emergency Room
- Significant Other receives a copy of the signed agreements.
- Significant Other returns to the ER and accompanies the patient.
- Patient identification bracelet will be placed on the patient’s wrist. For patient’s safety, please keep the bracelet on at all times. It will be removed by the nurse upon discharge.
Step 7: Admission Proper
- Patient is endorsed for room admission.
- Patient transferred to assigned room/unit.
Billing Process
Transparent billing guidance for patients and families.
1. Admission / Registration
- Patient submits:
- Valid ID
- Insurance ID (if any)
2. Partial Payment
- Amount depends on hospital policy and estimated cost.
3. PhilHealth Processing
- Patient submits:
- PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (CF1); MDR (Member Data Record)
4. Charging of Hospital Services
All services are recorded:
- Room & board
- Medicines & supplies
- Laboratory / diagnostics
- Doctor’s professional fees
- Operating room (if surgery)
5. Preparation of Final Statement of Account (SOA)
- Shows:
- Total hospital bill
- PhilHealth deduction (Hospital determines case rate (fixed benefit amount) for PhilHealth)
- Senior citizen/PWD discount (if applicable)
- Government assistance deduction (if applicable)
- Balance due
Important Reminder
- The cut-off time is 3:00 PM.
- A full-day room charge will be applied for check-outs after 3:00 PM.
6. Payment
- Patient pays remaining balance after deductions.
- Payment options:
- Cash
- GCash /Maya
- Debit/Credit Card
- Online banking (BPI)
7. Discharge Clearance
Patient must secure clearance from:
- Billing (Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 6PM)
(Saturday and Sunday, Holiday (8:00 AM – 5PM)
- Cashier (Monday to Friday 6:00 PM – 8:00 AM)
(Saturday, Sunday and Holiday 5:00 PM – 8:00 AM)
8. Discharge Instructions from Nurse Station
Discharge Process
Helping patients transition safely and smoothly back home.
1. Physician’s Discharge Order
- The attending physician evaluates the patient and determines readiness for discharge.
- Physician writes:
- Discharge order
- Final diagnosis
- Prescriptions
- Follow-up instructions
2. Preparation of Discharge Documents
- Nurse prepares and compiles:
- Discharge summary
- Medication list
- Doctor’s instructions
- Laboratory and diagnostic results (if needed)
- Ensure all hospital services used are recorded (medications, procedures, room charges).
3. Billing Department
- Billing staff consolidates all patient charges:
- Room accommodation
- Medications
- Laboratory tests
- Procedures
- Professional fees
- Preparation of Statement of Account (SOA) and hand over to the patient/representative.
- Coordinate with insurance/HMO (if applicable):
- Deduct approved benefits
4. Cashier
- Patient or representative proceeds to cashier.
- Payment options:
- Cash
- Credit/debit card
- Gcash/Maya
- Online banking (BPI)
- Cashier issues:
- Official receipt
5. Billing Clearance
- Patient returns to billing for final clearance.
- Clearance slip is issued.
6. Nursing Station (Discharge Instructions)
- Nurse provides final instructions:
- Medication schedule and dosage
- Wound care (if applicable)
- Diet and activity restrictions
- Follow-up appointments
- Patient or caregiver is encouraged to ask questions.
- Nurse ensures:
- Patient understands instructions
- All documents are complete
7. Final Discharge
- Patient signs discharge instructions.
- Hospital ID band is removed.
- Patient is officially discharged and may leave the facility.
Patient's Rights
We encourage you to speak openly with your health care provider, take part in you treatment choices, and protect your own safety by being well informed and involved in your care. As a patient at Gatchalian Medical Center, you have the following rights:
- You have the right to receive considerate, respectful and compassionate health care in a safe setting regardless of your age, sex, gender, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, disability or capacity to pay, free from all forms of abuse, neglect or ill treatment.
- You have the right to be assigned to a competent doctor / resident physician and be told of the names of all health care team members who are qualified to provide diagnosis, treatment and medical advice. Likewise, you have the right to know your hospital and physician fees, and receive information about the possibility of financial assistance.
- You have the right to notify a family member or person of your choice and your chosen doctor of your admission to the hospital.
- You have the right to have someone remain with you during your hospital stay unless it compromises you or other’s rights, safety or health.
- You have the right to exercise your spiritual and cultural beliefs within the capacity and rules of the hospital / medical center.
- You have the right to be informed and give consent before any non-emergency procedure or research/ experiment or refuse such.
- You have the right to privacy and confidentiality of your medical records according to laws, as well as in care discussions, examinations, and treatments and the right to see or get a copy of your medical records except those records restricted by law.
- You may request for an escort during physical examinations.
- You have the right to be represented by someone (assignee) to decide on your behalf when the circumstances warrant.
- You have the right to ask about and be informed of the complaint process and express grievances without fear of recrimination of reprisal. You are encouraged to speak directly to the health care provider involve in your care.
If there are issues not resolved to your satisfaction, or if you would like the help of someone not immediately involved, you can talk to the staff of Customer Care desk or Nursing Service Office.
Patient's Responsibilities
- Know rights as patients.
- Provide adequate, accurate and complete information.
- Report unexpected health changes.
- Understand the purpose and cost of treatment.
- Accept the consequences of own informed consent.
- Settle financial obligations.
- Respect the rights of Healthcare Providers, Healthcare Institutions and other patients.
- Obligation to self.
- Provide adequate Health Information and actively participate in his/her treatment.
- Respect the rights to privacy of Healthcare Providers and Institutions.
- Exercise fidelity on privileged communications.
- Respect a physician’s decision on medical reason bases on his/her religious belief.