Billing System Research Articles

Infectious Diseases - a new specialty for postgraduate training in Germany

Medicine in Germany is currently facing major structural and economic challenges. Infectious Diseases, with the recent introduction of a new specialty in "Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases" and with the existing additional training for almost all specializations, will make an important contribution to overcoming these challenges. Expertise in infectious diseases has to be very broad and requires high interdisciplinarity, which makes infectious diseases an attractive and demanding specialty. The complex fundamentals of infectious diseases must now be quickly conveyed to as many physicians as possible in a short period of time, as part of their specialization or as additional training. Until this is achieved, transitional solutions will be necessary for some time. The adaptation of the current billing and reimbursement system for infectious diseases services and improved intersectoral cooperation are of the utmost importance for the further development of the specialty.

Understanding moral distress in home-care nursing: An interview study.

Moral distress is a far-reaching problem for nurses in different settings as it threatens their health. This study examined which situations lead to moral distress in home-care nursing, how and with which consequences home-care nurses experience moral distress, and how they cope with morally stressful situations and the resulting moral distress. A qualitative interview study with reflexive thematic analysis was used. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 home-care nurses in Germany. The study was approved by the Data Protection Office and Ethics Committee of the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Twenty (14 female and 6 male) home-care nurses were interviewed between April and August 2023 at their chosen location. The situations leading to moral distress were inadequate care of the person in need of care, not being able to protect one's health, extended responsibility for the entire care arrangement, work-privacy conflicts, and conflicts between the understanding of care or professional ethics and the performance and billing system. The nurses experienced moral distress as they worked alone and provided care in the patient's territory. Short- and long-term strains with destructive cognitions, negative emotions, physical symptoms, and health consequences were reported. They faced challenges in coping with moral distress on institutional and individual levels. In cases of tension between the service and billing system and the understanding of these nurses' care services, moral distress is unavoidable. Alternative forms of organization and billing modalities, such as payment by time and the expansion and refinancing of service, should be implemented. The latter relates to systematic case and ethics meetings. Further, a transfer of medical activities, such as the prescription of wound material to registered nurses, could prevent morally stressful situations and improve patients' quality of care.

Next-Generation Billing Systems: The Smart eBill Revolution

Efficient monitoring of electrical consumption is essential for promoting energy conservation and optimizing electricity usage. This project introduces a "Smart EBill System" using current and voltage sensors, along with an LCD display for real-time energy consumption tracking. The system aims to provide users with instant information on their electricity usage, helping them make informed decisions and promoting energy efficiency. This integration of sensors and a display offers an intelligent solution for smart and user-friendly electricity bill monitoring. In today's digital age, electronic billing systems have become a cornerstone of modern business operations, offering convenience, efficiency, and sustainability compared to traditional paper-based billing methods. However, as electronic billing systems evolve, there is a growing need for smarter, more intuitive solutions that enhance user experience, streamline processes, and leverage emerging technologies. This paper presents Smart eBill, a next-generation electronic billing system designed to address these evolving needs. Smart eBill integrates advanced features such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to revolutionize the billing experience for businesses and consumers alike. The system employs AI algorithms to automate billing processes, including invoice generation, delivery, and payment reconciliation, reducing manual errors and administrative overhead. Furthermore, Smart eBill leverages machine learning techniques to analyze billing data and provide personalized insights and recommendations to users. By understanding user preferences, spending patterns, and historical data, the system offers tailored suggestions for optimizing billing arrangements, reducing costs, and improving financial management.

EBillH20: Web-Based Billing and Support System for Streamlined Water Management

Bongabong Waterworks and Sanitation Association (BOWASA) currently uses a traditional method of water billing that involves taking meter readings, calculating water usage per household, and issuing billing statements. A web-based system that automatically calculates water usage and generates billing statements was proposed and developed. SMS notifications were integrated to notify consumers’ bills, due dates, and disconnection notices, and consumers were able to pay bills using online payment technology. The spiral model was used as a software development method, and the system was tested and evaluated by BOWASA management, consumers, and IT experts using ISO 25010 software quality standards. The system was found to be user-friendly, interactive, and functional, achieving its expected functions in terms of functional suitability, performance efficiency, usability, compatibility, and security. It can greatly improve BOWASA management by streamlining transactions and services and providing consumers with accurate and timely information about their water consumption and bills. It also enhances convenience for consumers by enabling online payment and SMS notifications. Overall, the web-based system can increase efficiency, accuracy, and convenience for BOWASA and its consumers.

A Review on Smart Aqua Metrics: Water Quality-based Billing System

Water quality-based billing systems have attracted a lot of attention among the novel technologies that have emerged in response to the growing demand for effective management of water resources. The study explores the incorporation of sensor networks and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in water quality monitoring, clarifying their function in gathering the data. In addition, the study includes the challenges and possibilities related to the implementation of water quality-driven billing system, taking into factors like accuracy, reliability, and flexibility. In this paper a detailed review of latest works that were implemented in the arena of Water quality-based billing system is presented. The paper briefs about the different sensors used, use of recent technologies, its working and future work.

Super Market Billing Management System

Staff or admin might benefit from this software when it comes to billing products and managing product details. Only administrators and personnel have access to this application. It is inaccessible to members directly. In order to learn more about the Supermarket Billing System, this project is highly recommended. Various records pertaining to Products, Employees, Sales, etc. are kept by this programme. New product or employee details can be entered, and existing product or employee details can be retrieved, from the System. Customers' bills can be generated by us. We may also keep track of client information and the GST computation for each product in this project. The government has the authority to impose GST on all products based on the categories they have specified. This project can also keep total sales at a constant level. During this internship, I have learned what I need to know about the Supermarket Billing System.

Detection of False-Reading in Smart Grid Net-Metering System

Malicious consumers may hack their smart meters (SMs) in the smart grid to report fake readings in order to make unlawful financial profits. Since the reported readings are used for energy management, the utility suffers significant financial losses as a result, and grid performance may suffer as a result. The net metering system, in which one SM is used to report the difference between the power consumed and the power generated, is the subject of this research, which is the first study to look into the issue. First, we process real power consumption and generation information to create a benign dataset for the net-metering system. The data was then examined, and time correlations between the net meter readings and correlations between the measurements and pertinent information from reliable sources, such as temperature, were discovered. Based on the data analysis, we suggest a single-pole double-throw detector to detect erroneous readings. In addition to data from reliable sources, our detector is trained on net meter readings from every customer in order to improve its performance by discovering correlations between them. We also create a relationship between the customer and the grid. Since the only billing system available nowadays is online, this project includes an app that may be used to solve a variety of problems, including electrical outages. Overall, with this, we improve customer and grid communication and simplify their lives.

Design of Chinese License Plate Recognition and Parking Billing System based on AI

Design of Chinese License Plate Recognition and Parking Billing System based on AI

The Effect of Upturn National Bank Billing System on Revenue Collection in the County Government of Nandi in Kenya

The Constitution of Kenya 2010, led to the devolution of various public services to county governments, including the responsibility of revenue collection to fund their operations and functions. When the optimal collection of necessary revenues by county governments is not achieved, the public may suffer adverse consequences, experiencing poor service delivery. This study examined the effect of Upturn National Bank billing system on revenue collection in the county government of Nandi and was guided by the revenue diversification theory and the resource-based view theory. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 4,017 employees in the twelve departments of the county government of Nandi. This study used the Yamane (1973) formula to get the sample size and stratified random sampling to select respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires. The statistical package for social sciences was used to analyse the data. Inferential statistics was used to compare each independent variable with the dependent variable. The relationship between variables was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Furthermore, regression analysis was conducted to analyze the combined effect of the variables. The study variables were tested at a significance level of 5%. Tables were used to present findings. Results revealed that the Nandi county government’s electronic billing system had a positive and significant impact on revenue collection (β =0.184, p =0.000). The use of online platforms streamlined billing processes. This study recommended that the county’s billing should be done through online platforms. The county’s internal audit department should ensure that there are adequate electronic checks in bank accounts. Findings of this study are important to the county governments as they would form a basis against which robust billing policies would be instituted to enhance revenue collection. Additionally, this study would add to theory on e-billing and revenue collection for devolved systems of government.

Design and Construction of a Multi-User Prepaid Meter

The Nigerian government has used prepaid metering for nearly two decades to eliminate post-paid and estimated billing system. There is no doubt that this billing system has benefited house owners who do not have renters as well as a few persons who have the advantage of knowing the exact number of prepaid meters for their apartments. Those living in rental apartments, on the other hand, experience the identical problem with postpaid when a single prepaid meter is divided among inhabitants. Sharing a single prepayment frequently violates the aim of prepaid metering because individual use cannot be reliably tracked. To address the issue of sharing, a unique type of prepaid meter that can handle multiple users on a single prepaid is required. As a result, this study proposes a multi-user prepaid meter that completely prevent conflicts that arise from the sharing of prepaid meters. A prototype for four users was planned and built around Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for individual user identification; a quasi-current sensor to measure energy usage and an Arduino Uno microcontroller ATmega 328p to manage the activities of the system. From the process of recharging to the display unit and other aspects that permit remote transaction of the device, the designed multi-user prepaid energy monitoring system functions well. To address the demand for unmetered houses across the country, the prepaid meter could be mass produced. Considering the different obstacles people have as a result of the low distribution of prepaid meters, this multi-user prepaid meter will undoubtedly be a promising technology to suit Nigerians' demands while also eliminating potential problems with prepaid meter sharing.

IoT Based Design and Implementation of Intelligent Energy Distribution Management with Photovoltaic System

Abstract: The grid operators have difficulties as a result of the increasing penetration of renewable sources due to reduced environmental contamination. Unrestrained energy use will undoubtedly deepen environmental harm and accelerate global warming. A best practice for effectively managing energy use is energy management. IoT technology can be leveraged by technological advancements to facilitate energy management. This paper offers a novel way to energy management using a solar system and the Internet of Things (IoT). The suggested system tracks, evaluates, and optimizes solar power use in real time with the goal of increasing energy distribution's intelligence and efficiency. The project's goal is to build a net energy meter (NEM), a unique billing system that gives solar PV system owners credit for the entire retail value of the electricity their system produces. Under NEM, a customer's electric meter tracks how much energy they use as well as how much extra energy the system produces and feeds back into the electric utility grid.

Water meter inaccuracy assessment and operation control considering customer information

Water Meter Inaccuracy (WMI) is one of the apparent loss components contributing to an increase in non-revenue water. The estimation of the volume of water lost due to WMI and control within a utility is still a challenge; thus, the current study investigated its field operation using customer consumption records. A few studies estimated WMI using data obtained in a controlled experimental environment; however, WMI assessment requires a significant computation that includes unforeseen field fault operating environment. This study is of the view that experimental results are necessary for meter type selection, based on the designed flow characteristics and proposes a WMI assessment and control approach in which the field under- or over-registering meters are identified in a billing system. The analysis of this study reveals that a utility operation environment, economic factor and social trust can be efficiently improved using customers water consumption records.

Effects of the land bill system in Chongqing municipality on the integrated development of urban and rural areas and implications

Effects of the land bill system in Chongqing municipality on the integrated development of urban and rural areas and implications

IoT-Driven Smart Trolleys and Robots: Transforming Retail with Edge Computing

Time is an expensive resource in our fast-paced society, and people frequently lose a good deal of it waiting at supermarket and shopping mall checkout counters. An automated intelligent shopping cart has been designed for supermarkets to solve the shortcomings of the current billing systems. This trolley reduces the amount of time customers spend at the checkout counter, improving convenience and saving time, by scanning products using the Atmega 328 controller and RFID tags. Customers can better their shopping experience by monitoring the amount of items and the overall cost thanks to the digital document shown on an LCD. With electronic bills sent via email and thorough purchase information available through the shop's website, the intelligent cart manages shopping and payment procedures, allowing customers to buy things and leave the store fast. In order to manage product and customer information, this system needs an Arduino board, an RFID reader, an RFID tag, an LCD display, a database manager, and a website. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) for smooth connection with the worldwide network, the administrator can access this information anywhere.

Smart energy meter with GSM card recharge

The objective of the project are to reduce delays at energy metre billing counters and automatically limit energy meter usage, if the bill is not paid. The study also seeks to provide a mechanism that will lessen the amount of money lost to power theft and other illicit activities. The method of work takes a completely novel idea for a “prepaid energy meter.” GSM technology is employed in order for the customer to get notifications regarding your power usage (measured in watts); if it hits the minimum, it would immediately notify the user that they require a recharge. This method works well for distributing various kinds of electricity. Businesses, exclusive areas, IT parks, and self-contained home developments. Prepaid electricity billing systems that use GSM-based communication address problems with metering and billing faults that result in revenue loss for the Nigerian power sector. This creative approach reduces errors in meter reading caused by human error, electro-mechanical metre imperfections, and payment processing issues. It is widely used to guarantee accurate invoicing, eliminate past-due bills, and increase utility revenue.

Prediction of Stock with On-Go Billing Cart using IoT and Advanced Interdisciplinary Approaches

Modern technology has significantly improved the quality of life for humans. However, with the increase in technology usage, there has been a rise in the number of people visiting shopping malls. As a result, the billing process has become more time-consuming, and customers often have to wait in long queues to get their goods billed. To address this issue, we propose the development of a smart shopping cart system that uses RFID and Arduino to keep track of purchased products and generate bills automatically. The main objective of this paper is to reduce the time consumed in the billing process. Our On-go billing Cart with an Automatic Billing System will use an EM-18 RFID Module and Arduino.

Cost-effectiveness of intravenous resuscitation fluids in sepsis patients: a patient-level data analysis in Jordan

Aim Albumin role as fluid resuscitation in sepsis remains understudied in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intravenous (IV) Albumin compared to Crystalloids in sepsis patients using patient-level data in Jordan. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of sepsis patients aged 18 or older admitted to intensive care units (ICU) at two major tertiary hospitals during the period 2018–2019. Patients information, type of IV fluid, and clinical outcomes were retrieved from medical records, and charges were retrieved from the billing system. A 90-day partitioned survival model with two health states (alive and dead) was constructed to estimate the survival of sepsis patients receiving either Albumin or Crystalloids as IV fluids for resuscitation. Overall survival was predicted by fitting a Weibull model on the patient-level data from the current study. To further validate the results, and to support the assessment of uncertainty, time-dependent transition probabilities of death at each cycle were estimated and used to construct a state-transition patient-level simulation model with 10,000 microsimulation trials. Adopting the healthcare system perspective, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios(ICERs) of Albumin versus Crystalloids were calculated in terms of the probability to be discharged alive from the ICU. Uncertainty was explored using probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Results In the partitioned survival model, Albumin was associated with an incremental cost of $1,007 per incremental1% in the probability of being discharged alive from the ICU. In the state-transition patient-level simulation model, ICER was $1,268 per incremental 1% in the probability of being discharged alive. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that Albumin was favored at thresholds >$800 per incremental 1%in the probability of being discharged alive from the ICU. Conclusion IV Albumin use in sepsis patients might not be cost-effective from the healthcare perspective of Jordan. This has important implications for policymakers to readdress Albumin prescribing practice in sepsis patients.

Detecting envelope wages with e-billing information

We use information from the electronic billing system to estimate the underreporting of income of private sector employees. We follow an expenditure-based methodology using the consumption of public and private sector employees for similar levels of reported income. We find that private sector employees underreport between 7 and 9% of their income in Ecuador. The size of the underreporting gap is negatively correlated with the number of employees at the firm, consistent with different risks and administrative costs of ‘envelope wages’ in small versus large firms.

Adoption of Electronic Health Record Among Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Electronic health record (EHR) systems have been shown to be associated with improvements in care processes, quality of care, and patient outcomes. EHR also has a crucial role in the delivery of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and is considered important for addressing SUD crises, including the opioid epidemic. However, little is known about the adoption of EHR in SUD treatment programs or the organizational-level factors associated with the adoption of EHR in SUD treatment. We examined the adoption of EHR in SUD programs, with a focus on changes in adoption from 2014 to 2017, and identified organizational-level factors associated with EHR adoption. We used data from the 2014 and 2017 National Drug Abuse Treatment System Surveys. Our analysis included 1027 SUD programs (531 in 2014 and 496 in 2017). We used chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively, to assess changes in EHR adoption, technology use, program, and client characteristics. We also investigated differences in characteristics and barriers to adoption by EHR adoption status (adopted EHR vs had not adopted or were planning to adopt EHR). We then conducted multivariate logistic regressions to examine internal and external factors associated with EHR adoption. The adoption of EHR increased significantly from 57.6% (306/531) in 2014 to 69.2% (343/496) in 2017 (P<.001), showing that nearly one-third (153/496, 30.8%) of SUD programs had not yet adopted an EHR system by 2017. We identified a significant increase in technology use and ownership by a parent company (P=.01 and P<.001) and a decrease in the percentage of uninsured patients in 2017 (P<.001), compared to 2014. Our analysis further showed significant differences by adoption status for three major barriers to adoption: (1) start-up costs, (2) ongoing financial costs, and (3) privacy or security concerns (P<.001). Programs that used computerized scheduling (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.02, 95% CI 2.23-4.09) and billing systems (AOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.62-3.25) were more likely to adopt EHR. Similarly, ownership type, such as private nonprofit (AOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.31-2.65) and public (AOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.27-3.67), or interest in participating in a patient-centered medical home (AOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.29-2.92), were associated with an increased likelihood to adopt EHR. Overall, SUD programs were more likely to adopt an EHR system in 2017 compared to 2014 (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.07-1.94). Our findings highlighted that SUD programs may be on track to achieve widespread EHR adoption. However, there is a need for focused strategies, resources, and policies explicitly designed to systematically address barriers and tackle obstacles to expanding the adoption of EHR systems. These efforts must be holistic and address factors at multiple organizational levels.

Country-level effects of diagnosis-related groups: evidence from Germany’s comprehensive reform of hospital payments

Hospitals account for about 40% of all healthcare expenditure in high-income countries and play a central role in healthcare provision. The ways in which they are paid, therefore, has major implications for the care they provide. However, our knowledge about reforms that have been made to the various payment schemes and their country-level effects is surprisingly thin. This study examined the uniquely comprehensive introduction of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) in Germany, where DRGs function as the sole pricing, billing, and budgeting system for hospitals and almost exclusively determine hospital revenue. The introduction of DRGs, therefore, completely overhauled the previous system based on per diem rates, offering a unique opportunity for analysis. Using aggregate data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and recent advances in econometrics, we analyzed how hospital activity and efficiency changed in response to the reform. We found that DRGs in Germany significantly increased hospital activity by around 20%. In contrast to earlier studies, we found that DRGs have not necessarily shortened the average length of stay.