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Healthcare Settings

Overview

Healthcare Settings is a Single DocType — there's exactly one instance. It controls global feature toggles, default items, billing accounts, lab configuration, SMS templates, and patient duplicate checking.

Navigate to: /app/healthcare-settings or Search bar > Healthcare Settings

Configuration Sections

Tab: OP & IP

Outpatient Settings

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
patient_name_bySelectPatient NameHow patient records are named: Patient Name / Naming Series / Auto Name
link_customer_to_patientCheckAuto-create ERPNext Customer when creating a Patient (required for billing)
default_code_systemLink → Code SystemDefault medical coding system (e.g., ICD-10)
default_google_calendarLink → Google CalendarDefault calendar for appointment sync
collect_registration_feeCheckCharge a fee when registering a new patient
registration_itemLink → ItemERPNext Item for registration fee (visible when collect_registration_fee=1)
registration_feeCurrencyFee amount
show_payment_popupCheckShow payment dialog during appointment booking
enable_free_follow_upsCheckAllow free follow-up visits within a time window
max_visitsIntNumber of free follow-ups allowed
valid_daysIntWindow (in days) for free follow-ups

Inpatient Settings

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
allow_discharge_despite_unbilled_servicesCheckAllow patient discharge even if services haven't been invoiced
do_not_bill_inpatient_encountersCheckSkip encounter-based billing for inpatients
validate_nursing_checklistsCheckRequire nursing checklists to be completed before procedures

Tab: Laboratory

Lab Settings

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
create_lab_test_on_si_submitCheckAuto-create Lab Test when Sales Invoice with lab items is submitted
create_observation_on_si_submitCheckAuto-create Observation when Sales Invoice with observation items is submitted
create_sample_collection_for_lab_testCheckAuto-create Sample Collection document for new lab tests
lab_test_approval_requiredCheckRequire approval workflow for lab test results
employee_name_and_designation_in_printCheckShow signing physician's name and designation in lab report print
custom_signature_in_printSmall TextCustom signature text (alternative to employee name)

Lab SMS Alerts

FieldTypeDescription
sms_printedSmall TextSMS template when lab report is printed. Variables: {patient_name}, {lab_test}, {result}
sms_emailedSmall TextSMS template when lab report is emailed

Tab: Billing & Accounts

Default Healthcare Service Items

FieldTypeDescription
inpatient_visit_charge_itemLink → ItemDefault Item for inpatient visit charges
op_consulting_charge_itemLink → ItemDefault Item for outpatient consultation charges
clinical_procedure_consumable_itemLink → ItemDefault Item for clinical procedure consumables

These are fallback defaults — Appointment Type and Practitioner-level items take precedence.

Default Accounts

FieldTypeDescription
income_accountTable (Party Account)Default income accounts per company
receivable_accountTable (Party Account)Default receivable accounts per company

Tab: Orders

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
process_service_request_only_if_paidCheckRequire payment before processing Service Requests
validate_medication_quantity_in_invoiceCheckValidate prescribed medication quantity matches invoice
default_intentLink → Code ValueDefault intent for orders (e.g., "order", "proposal")
default_priorityLink → Code ValueDefault priority for orders (e.g., "routine", "urgent")

Tab: Alerts

Out Patient SMS Alerts

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
send_registration_msgCheckSend SMS on patient registration
registration_msgSmall TextTemplate with variables
send_appointment_confirmationCheckSend SMS on appointment booking
appointment_confirmation_msgSmall TextTemplate with variables
avoid_confirmationCheckSkip confirmation SMS for same-day appointments
send_appointment_reminderCheckSend reminder SMS before appointment
appointment_reminder_msgSmall TextTemplate with variables
remind_beforeTimeHow long before the appointment to send reminder

Tab: Patient Duplicate Check

FieldTypeDefaultDescription
enable_patient_duplicate_checkCheckEnable automatic duplicate detection on patient creation
patient_duplicate_check_rulesTableLinks to Patient Duplicate Check Rule Configuration documents

See Duplicate Checker Setup for full details.

Item Hierarchy (Billing Precedence)

When determining which ERPNext Item to use for billing, the system checks in this order:

  1. Appointment Type items (department-specific) → highest priority
  2. Appointment Type items (generic, no department filter)
  3. Practitioner charge items
  4. Healthcare Settings default items → lowest priority (fallback)
  • DocType: healthcare/healthcare/doctype/healthcare_settings/healthcare_settings.json
  • Python: healthcare/healthcare/doctype/healthcare_settings/healthcare_settings.py
  • JavaScript: healthcare/healthcare/doctype/healthcare_settings/healthcare_settings.js