Standards › Standard S1 › Policies
Policy · HOS-POL-003 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: System S1 (Hospital), criterion S1.20
At a glance
- Patients are given the price of services before treatment begins.
- Give a written estimate the patient can keep.
- Publish the price list.
- Any change in price is told to the patient before it applies.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a patient is charged without being told the price in advance.
1. Purpose
To make sure patients know what care costs before it starts, and can keep a written record (S1.20).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
Patients who learn the cost after treatment begins are harmed in ways that are hard to undo. Prices given before treatment protect the patient and the facility.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Chief executive | Approves the policy and the price list | Executive |
| Finance lead | Keeps the price list current | Finance |
| Reception lead | Gives the estimate before treatment | Reception |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Give the estimate.
- Give a written estimate before treatment begins.
- Explain it and give a copy.
Key point: Before, in writing, to keep.
Step 2. Publish.
- Publish the price list on the website and in reception.
Key point: Public and current.
Step 3. Tell changes.
- Tell the patient before a price change applies to them.
Key point: No surprise bills.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patients given a price before treatment | At least 70% | Monthly | Reception lead | Escalate to chief executive |
| Price list current and published | 100% | Quarterly | Finance lead | Escalate to chief executive |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HOS-FRM-012 | Price list record | Record |
| HOS-FRM-011 | Public information check record | Public details |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
E-learning for this document
No e-learning course is linked to this document yet.
References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)
Related standard