Prescription processing system, payment terminal, and prescription processing method

Abstract

To provide a prescription processing system, a payment terminal, and a prescription processing method with which, when medications are provided to patients using electronic prescriptions registered in a server, patients can more reliably collect medications based on their prescriptions.SOLUTION: A prescription processing system 2 includes a payment processing unit 101a which performs transaction processing related to payment processing of a medical service fee, and a registration processing unit 201a which performs registration processing for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to the medical service in a server 30. The payment processing unit 101a operates to complete the transaction processing in response to a response indicating that the electronic prescription information has been registered being received by the registration processing unit 201a from the server 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prescription processing system for providing prescriptions related to medical treatment, a payment terminal used in the prescription processing system, and a prescription processing method for providing prescriptions related to medical treatment. [Background technology]

[0002] When a medical treatment is performed at a medical institution, a prescription for medicine is issued as appropriate according to the contents of the treatment. Conventionally, prescriptions are issued at the counter of a medical institution. For example, when the medical fee is paid at a payment terminal, a voucher for receiving the prescription is output from the payment terminal. The patient receives the prescription by presenting this voucher at the counter. The patient then takes the issued prescription to a dispensing pharmacy and receives the medicine.

[0003] Recently, electronic prescriptions are being implemented. For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes recording electronic prescription information on the patient's My Number card. In this case, the patient can receive medicine by presenting their My Number card to a dispensing pharmacy.

[0004] Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has issued guidelines for the operation of electronic prescriptions using electronic prescription servers. In this system, computerized prescriptions (electronic prescriptions) are registered to the server from the medical institution's medical system via an external network. In this registration, the server issues management information (access code and confirmation number) to the medical system prior to registering the electronic prescription. The medical system transmits an electronic prescription according to the medical treatment content to the server together with the received management information. In response, the server registers the received electronic prescription by linking it to the received management information. This completes the registration of the electronic prescription to the server.

[0005] The medical institution provides the management information received from the server to the patient at a counter or the like. The patient presents the provided management information to the dispensing pharmacy. The person in charge at the dispensing pharmacy accesses the server via a terminal in the dispensing pharmacy and obtains an electronic prescription using the presented management information. The person in charge provides the patient with medicines based on the obtained electronic prescription. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-144682 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the above-mentioned system, the electronic prescription may not be properly registered in the server due to communication failures, etc. In this case, if the management information is properly transmitted from the server to the medical system prior to the registration of the electronic prescription, the medical institution may provide the management information to the patient. If this happens, the patient may not be able to receive the medicine at the dispensing pharmacy even if he or she subsequently visits the dispensing pharmacy.

[0008] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a prescription processing system, a payment terminal, and a prescription processing method that enable patients to more reliably receive medication based on a prescription when medication is provided to a patient using an electronic prescription registered on a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network. The prescription processing system according to this aspect includes a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses, and a registration processing unit that executes registration processing for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server. The settlement processing unit completes the transaction processing based on the fact that the registration processing unit has received a response from the server regarding the completion of registration of the electronic prescription information.

[0010] According to the prescription processing system of this embodiment, the transaction process for payment is not completed until the electronic prescription information is registered in the server. Therefore, after completing the payment transaction, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at a dispensing pharmacy or the like.

[0011] In the prescription processing system according to this embodiment, the registration processing unit may be configured to send the electronic prescription information to the server based on the settlement processing unit completing settlement of the medical expenses.

[0012] According to this configuration, the electronic prescription information is transmitted to the server when the settlement of medical expenses for the medical treatment corresponding to the electronic prescription information is completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information to a patient in a state where the patient has forgotten to pay the medical expenses. Therefore, the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information can be performed more smoothly and appropriately.

[0013] For example, there are cases where a patient happens to forget to pay the medical fee and gets the medicine and leaves, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the chances of this forgetting can be reduced. Also, there are rare cases where patients intentionally do not pay the medical fee, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the medical institution can reduce the chances of financial trouble and non-payment of medical fees.

[0014] In this configuration, the settlement processing unit can be configured to execute a notification process to notify that the transaction processing is ongoing based on the completion of settlement of the medical expenses, and to terminate the notification process based on the registration processing unit receiving the response.

[0015] According to this configuration, the notification process can make the patient wait until the registration of the electronic prescription information in the server is completed. Therefore, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at the dispensing pharmacy or the like after the settlement transaction is completed.

[0016] In this case, the settlement processing unit may be configured to notify, in the notification process, that the electronic prescription information is being registered.

[0017] According to this configuration, the patient can know that his / her electronic prescription information is being registered in the server through the notification process. Therefore, the patient can know that he / she can receive his / her medicines through the electronic prescription information after the payment transaction is completed, and can smoothly receive the medicines.

[0018] The prescription processing system according to this embodiment may be configured to include an output processing unit that executes a process for presenting management information that identifies the electronic prescription information to a user based on the response received by the registration processing unit.

[0019] According to this configuration, a user such as a patient can obtain management information of electronic prescription information upon completion of payment transaction. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly receive medicines based on the electronic prescription information.

[0020] In the prescription processing system of this embodiment, the settlement processing unit may be configured to execute an issuance process for issuing a prescription in a manner other than via the server based on the failure of the registration processing unit to receive the response.

[0021] According to this configuration, if the registration of the electronic prescription information to the server fails, the patient can receive the prescription in another form, which allows the patient to smoothly receive the medicine thereafter.

[0022] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a settlement terminal. The settlement terminal according to this aspect includes a settlement processing unit that executes a transaction process related to settlement of medical fees, and a communication unit. After executing the transaction process corresponding to a medical treatment, the settlement processing unit completes the transaction process based on receiving a notification via the communication unit indicating that electronic prescription information corresponding to the medical treatment has been registered in a server.

[0023] According to the payment terminal of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the payment transaction process is not completed until the electronic prescription information is registered in the server. Therefore, after completing the payment transaction, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at a dispensing pharmacy or the like.

[0024] The settlement terminal according to the present aspect may further include a registration processing unit that executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server. In this case, the registration processing unit may be configured to transmit the electronic prescription information to the server based on the settlement processing unit completing the settlement of the medical treatment fee, and the settlement processing unit may be configured to complete the transaction processing based on the registration processing unit receiving a response from the server regarding the registration of the electronic prescription information as the notification.

[0025] According to this configuration, the electronic prescription information is transmitted to the server when the settlement of medical expenses for the medical treatment corresponding to the electronic prescription information is completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information to a patient in a state where the patient has forgotten to pay the medical expenses. Therefore, the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information can be performed more smoothly and appropriately.

[0026] In the settlement terminal of this embodiment, the settlement processing unit may be configured to execute a notification process to notify that the transaction processing is ongoing based on the completion of settlement of the medical expenses, and to terminate the notification process based on receiving the notification.

[0027] According to this configuration, the notification process can make the patient wait until the registration of the electronic prescription information in the server is completed. Therefore, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at the dispensing pharmacy or the like after the settlement transaction is completed.

[0028] In this configuration, the settlement processing unit can be configured to notify, in the notification process, that the electronic prescription information is being registered.

[0029] According to this configuration, the patient can know that his / her electronic prescription information is being registered in the server through the notification process. Therefore, the patient can know that he / she can receive his / her medicine from the electronic prescription information after the payment transaction is completed, and can smoothly receive the medicine.

[0030] The settlement terminal in this embodiment may be configured to include an output processing unit that executes a process to present management information identifying the electronic prescription information to a user based on receiving the notification via the communication unit.

[0031] According to this configuration, a user such as a patient can obtain management information of electronic prescription information upon completion of payment transaction. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly receive medicines based on the electronic prescription information.

[0032] In the settlement terminal of this embodiment, the settlement processing unit may be configured to execute a delivery process for delivering a prescription in a manner other than via the server based on the failure to receive the notification via the communication unit.

[0033] According to this configuration, if the registration of the electronic prescription information to the server fails, the patient can receive the prescription in a different form upon settlement transaction, thereby making it possible to smoothly receive the medicine thereafter.

[0034] A third aspect of the present invention is to automatically register electronic prescription information in a server. By computer software for The prescription processing method according to this aspect includes the steps of: Examination and executing a registration process to register electronic prescription information corresponding to the treatment in a server, and completing the transaction process based on receiving a response from the server indicating that the electronic prescription information has been registered.

[0035] According to the prescription processing method of this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

[0036] A fourth aspect of the present invention is A payment terminal is provided in the medical institution to be operated by a user for payment of medical expenses, The present invention relates to a prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network. The prescription processing system according to this aspect includes a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to the settlement of medical expenses, and a registration processing unit that executes registration processing for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server. The registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the settlement processing unit completing the settlement of the medical expenses.

[0037] According to the prescription processing system of this embodiment, the electronic prescription information is transmitted to the server when the settlement of medical expenses for the medical treatment corresponding to the electronic prescription information is completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information to a patient in a state where the patient has forgotten to pay the medical expenses. Therefore, the delivery of medicines based on the electronic prescription information can be performed more smoothly and appropriately.

[0038] That is, there are cases where a patient happens to forget to pay the medical fee and gets the medicine and leaves, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the chances of this forgetting can be reduced. Also, there are rare cases where patients intentionally do not pay the medical fee, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the medical institution can reduce the chances of financial trouble and non-payment of medical fees.

[0039] A fifth aspect of the present invention is It is operated by the user at the medical institution for medical expense settlement, The present invention relates to a payment terminal capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network. The payment terminal according to this aspect includes a payment processing unit that executes transaction processing related to the payment of medical fees, and a registration processing unit that executes registration processing for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server. The registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the payment processing unit completing the payment of the medical fees.

[0040] According to the settlement terminal of this aspect, the same effects as those of the fourth aspect can be achieved. Effect of the Invention

[0041] As described above, according to the present invention, when medication is provided to a patient using an electronic prescription registered in a server, a prescription processing system, a payment terminal, and a prescription processing method can be provided that enable the patient to more reliably receive medication based on the prescription.

[0042] The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the embodiment. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of how the present invention can be put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic prescription management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement terminal and the medical system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic prescription database constructed in a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit of the medical-revenue system when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control performed by the control unit of the settlement terminal when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing a notification screen displayed on the operation display unit of the settlement terminal in the notification process according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing a notification screen displayed on the operation display unit of the settlement terminal in the management information presentation process according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6(c) is a diagram showing a notification screen displayed on the operation display unit of the settlement terminal in the exchange information presentation process according to embodiment 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal and a medical system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit of the medical-revenue system when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control performed by the control unit of the settlement terminal when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a prescription registration process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit of the medical-revenue system when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription in the modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit of the settlement terminal when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription in the modified example. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit of the medical-revenue system when settling medical fees and issuing a prescription, according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic prescription management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic prescription management system 1 includes a payment terminal 10, a medical system 20, a server 30, and a pharmacy terminal 40. The payment terminal 10 and the medical system 20 are installed in a medical institution such as a hospital, and are communicatively connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) installed within the medical institution. A plurality of payment terminals 10 are installed in the medical institution. Although two payment terminals 10 are shown in Fig. 1, the number of payment terminals 10 installed is not limited to this.

[0047] The settlement terminal 10 is used by users such as patients to settle medical expenses and other costs incurred from using a medical institution. The medical system 20 is used to manage settlement information such as patient information, medical record information for each patient, prescription information for medicines according to medical treatment, and medical expenses. The medical system 20 does not necessarily have to be composed of a single device, and may be composed of a combination of multiple personal computers and servers. The settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20 make up a prescription processing system 2 for processing prescriptions.

[0048] The settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20 are each connected to an external communication network 50 via a router 60. The external communication network 50 is composed of the Internet, a dedicated line, a public line, or the like. A server 30 and a pharmacy terminal 40 are connected to the external communication network 50. The server 30 manages information related to electronic prescriptions (hereinafter referred to as "electronic prescription information"). The server 30 has a database for storing the electronic prescription information received from the medical system 20. Medical systems other than the medical system 20 shown in FIG. 1 are also connected to the external communication network 50. The server 30 similarly manages the electronic prescription information received from these medical systems.

[0049] The pharmacy terminal 40 is installed in a facility, such as a dispensing pharmacy, that provides medicines to patients based on prescriptions. The pharmacy terminal 40 is an information processing terminal, such as a personal computer or a tablet. The pharmacy terminal 40 may be a dedicated terminal for managing dispensing. The pharmacy terminal 40 accesses the server 30 to obtain electronic prescription information for the patient, and displays the obtained electronic prescription information. A staff member, such as a pharmacist, dispenses medicines based on the displayed electronic prescription information, and provides the dispensed medicines to the patient.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The settlement terminal 10 comprises a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a banknote processing unit 103, a coin processing unit 104, a card processing unit 105, an operation display unit 106, a voice output unit 107, a printing unit 108, a barcode reader 109, and a communication unit 110. Note that the banknote processing unit 103 and the coin processing unit 104 may be separate from the settlement terminal 10.

[0052] The control unit 101 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores the programs executed by the control unit 101 and various data. The storage unit 102 is also used as a work area when the control unit 101 performs control.

[0053] The banknote processing unit 103 includes a banknote storage unit for storing banknotes of each denomination and a transport unit for transporting banknotes, and transports banknotes between the banknote storage unit and the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit under the control of the control unit 101. The coin processing unit 104 includes a coin storage unit for storing coins of each denomination and a transport unit for transporting coins, and transports coins between the coin storage unit and the coin deposit / withdrawal unit under the control of the control unit 101.

[0054] The card processing unit 105 reads card information such as the card number from a card (patient appointment card, credit card, etc.) inserted through a card insertion slot. The operation display unit 106 displays predetermined information and accepts operations from the user. The operation display unit 106 is configured, for example, with a touch panel equipped with a liquid crystal display. The audio output unit 107 includes audio output means such as a speaker, and outputs predetermined audio in response to control from the control unit 101.

[0055] The printing unit 108 sends out a copy of the user's receipt when payment is made by credit card, etc. The printing unit 108 also sends out a receipt when medical fees are paid, and also sends out a medical statement when an operation to issue the statement is performed on the operation display unit 106.

[0056] The barcode reader 109 reads the barcode printed on the paper for settling medical expenses. For example, a barcode for settling is printed on a numbered ticket issued by a reception machine for accepting patients for medical treatment. Patients can use this barcode to settle their medical expenses.

[0057] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the medical system 20 and the external communication network 50. The communication unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 205 of the medical system 20 via a LAN. The communication unit 110 is also connected to the external communication network 50 via a router 60. When a user such as a patient uses a credit card to settle a bill, the control unit 101 communicates with a card information processing center (not shown) via the external communication network 50 and processes the card payment.

[0058] The medical system 20 includes a control unit 201 , a storage unit 202 , an operation display unit 203 , a printing unit 204 , and a communication unit 205 .

[0059] The control unit 201 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) and stores the programs executed by the control unit 201 and various data. The storage unit 202 is also used as a work area when the control unit 201 performs control. The storage unit 202 holds a medical database for updating and storing information such as patient information, the patient's medical history, and dispensing history.

[0060] The operation display unit 203 displays predetermined information and accepts operations from the user. The operation display unit 203 is, for example, configured with a touch panel equipped with a liquid crystal display. The printing unit 204 outputs printed materials such as prescriptions under the control of the control unit 201.

[0061] The communication unit 205 is a communication interface for communicating with the settlement terminal 10 and the external communication network 50. The communication unit 205 is connected to the communication unit 110 of the settlement terminal 10 via a LAN. The communication unit 205 is also connected to the external communication network 50 via a router 60. The control unit 201 performs a process of registering electronic prescription information generated according to medical treatment in the server 30 via the external communication network 50.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electronic prescription database constructed in the server 30.

[0063] The electronic prescription database has a structure in which an access code and a confirmation number are associated with prescription information and dispensing results. The access code and the confirmation number are management information for managing the electronic prescription information. The access code and the confirmation number are issued by the server 30 in response to a request from the medical system 20. The prescription information is the electronic prescription information received from the medical system 20. The electronic prescription information is, for example, an electronic version of a print image of a prescription. For example, the electronic prescription information is a text data version of the contents written on a prescription, such as the type of drug, the amount, the timing of taking the drug, etc. The dispensing result is information indicating the dispensing result of the drug based on the prescription. The dispensing result is transmitted from the pharmacy terminal 40 to the server 30 when the drug is provided to the patient.

[0064] Here, the information regarding electronic prescriptions managed by the server 30 has a database structure, but this information does not necessarily have to have a database structure, as long as each piece of information is linked to each other and managed.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the control unit 101 is provided with the functions of a settlement processing unit 101a and an output processing unit 101b by a program stored in the memory unit 102 of the settlement terminal 10. The control unit 101 executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses by the function of the settlement processing unit 101a. In addition, the control unit 101 executes processing for presenting management information (access code, confirmation number) that identifies the electronic prescription information to a user such as a patient, based on the completion of registration of the electronic prescription information from the server 30 by the function of the output processing unit 101b.

[0066] In addition, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 is provided with the function of a registration processing unit 201a by a program stored in the storage unit 202. The control unit 201 executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server 30 by the function of the registration processing unit 201a.

[0067] However, in the electronic prescription management system 1 configured as above, there are cases where the electronic prescription information is not properly registered in the server 30 due to communication failures or the like. In this case, if the management information (access code, confirmation number) is properly transmitted from the server 30 to the medical system 20 prior to the registration of the electronic prescription information, the medical institution may provide the management information to the patient. If this occurs, the patient will not be able to receive the medicine at the dispensing pharmacy even if he or she subsequently visits the dispensing pharmacy.

[0068] In order to prevent such problems, in this embodiment, a control that allows a patient to receive a medicine based on a prescription more reliably at a dispensing pharmacy is executed by the functions of the settlement processing unit 101a, the output processing unit 101b, and the registration processing unit 201a shown in Fig. 2. This control will be described below.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 when settling medical expenses and issuing a prescription. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 when settling medical expenses and issuing a prescription.

[0070] The processing of each step in Fig. 4 is performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 using the function of the registration processing unit 201a. The processing of step S208 in Fig. 5 is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the output processing unit 101b, and the processing of each step other than step S208 in Fig. 5 is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the settlement processing unit 101a. In the following, for convenience, the control entity in Fig. 4 is the control unit 201 of the medical system 20, and the control entity in Fig. 5 is the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10.

[0071] 5, the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 determines whether or not a transaction process for settlement of medical expenses has started (S201). For example, the control unit 101 determines that a transaction process for settlement of medical expenses has started when, after accepting an operation for settlement via the operation display unit 106, the card processing unit 105 reads the patient card, or the barcode reader 109 reads a barcode printed on a paper for settlement of medical expenses.

[0072] When the settlement transaction is started (S201: YES), the control unit 101 sends a settlement start notification including identification information (identification information or barcode information of the medical card) for identifying the medical expenses to the medical system 20 via the communication unit 110 (S202).

[0073] 4, when the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives a settlement start notification from the settlement terminal 10 (S101: YES), it refers to the identification information included in the notification and transmits medical information corresponding to the identification information to the settlement terminal 10 that sent the notification (S102). This medical information includes information on medical fees and medical details.

[0074] 5, the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 performs settlement processing of the medical fee based on the medical information received from the medical system 20 (S203). Specifically, the control unit 101 displays the medical fee on the operation display unit 106 and prompts the patient to settle the medical fee. Then, the control unit 101 waits for the patient to settle the medical fee by cash, credit card, or the like (S204).

[0075] 4, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20, in addition to the process of step S102, transmits a request for issuing management information (access code, confirmation number) for registering electronic prescription information to the server 30 via the communication unit 205 (S103). After that, the control unit 201 waits to receive a response including the management information (access code, confirmation number) from the server 30 (S104).

[0076] The request for issuing the management information (access code, confirmation number) does not necessarily have to be sent to the server 30 at this timing. For example, the request for issuing the management information (access code, confirmation number) may be sent to the server 30 when the patient's patient card is received at the reception terminal before the medical treatment. In this case, steps S103 and S104 are omitted from the flowchart in Fig. 4. Also, in this case, if the medicine is not prescribed in the medical treatment, a process of canceling the issued management information may be performed.

[0077] If the response to the management information issuance request is received within a predetermined time (S104: YES), the control unit 201 proceeds to step S105 and waits to receive a settlement completion notification from the settlement terminal 10. On the other hand, if the response to the management information issuance request is not received within a predetermined time, or if the response is not properly received (S104: NO), such as if the response was received within a predetermined time but there was an abnormality in the received data, the control unit 201 proceeds to step S110 and transmits to the settlement terminal 10 a registration failure notification indicating that the electronic prescription information could not be registered in the server 30 and prescription exchange information for issuing a paper prescription.

[0078] 5, if the patient has not settled the bill in step S203 (S204: NO), the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 ends the process in Fig. 5. On the other hand, if the patient has settled the bill (S204: YES), the control unit 101 transmits a settlement completion notification to the medical system 20 (S205). Furthermore, the control unit 101 executes a notification process to notify that the transaction process is not yet complete, i.e., that the transaction process is ongoing (S206).

[0079] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a notification screen 300 displayed on the operation display unit 106 in the notification process in step S206 in FIG.

[0080] The notification screen 300 includes a message 301 for notifying the patient that the transaction process related to the settlement of medical expenses is ongoing, a message 302 for urging the patient to wait because the electronic prescription is being registered in the server 30, and an image 303 for displaying the passage of the waiting time. The multiple triangular marks in the image 303 are filled in from the left in order as time passes, and when the rightmost triangular mark is filled in, it indicates that the waiting period will end. By referring to the notification screen 300, the patient can know that the transaction process related to the settlement of medical expenses is ongoing, that the electronic prescription is being registered in the server 30, and the rough progress of the registration process.

[0081] In addition, these notifications do not necessarily have to be made by the notification screen 300, and for example, a voice with the same message content may be output from the audio output unit 107. Alternatively, together with the display of the notification screen 300, a predetermined message or a chime sound may be output from the audio output unit 107 to more reliably notify the patient that the transaction is continuing and that the electronic prescription is being registered.

[0082] 4, if the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 determines in step S105 that a payment completion notice is not received from the payment terminal 10 within a predetermined time after the medical information is sent to the payment terminal 10 (S105: NO), the control unit 201 ends the control in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if a payment completion notice is received from the payment terminal 10 within the predetermined time (S105: YES), the control unit 201 transmits electronic prescription information corresponding to the medical information to the server 30 via the communication unit 205 (S106).

[0083] Thereafter, the control unit 201 waits to receive a response indicating that the registration of the electronic prescription information has been completed from the server 30 (S107). If the response is received within a predetermined time (S107: YES), the control unit 201 sets a flag indicating that the electronic prescription information has been registered in the server 30 in the medical treatment database stored in the storage unit 202 (S108), and further transmits a registration completion notification indicating that the registration of the electronic prescription information has been completed and management information (access code, confirmation number) of the electronic prescription information to the settlement terminal 10 (S109). With this, the control unit 201 ends the process of FIG. 4.

[0084] On the other hand, if a response indicating that the registration of the electronic prescription information has been completed is not received from the server 30 within a predetermined time, or if the response is not properly received (S107: NO) because the response is received within the predetermined time but there is an abnormality in the received data, the control unit 201 transmits a registration failure notification and prescription exchange information to the settlement terminal 10 (S110). As a result, the control unit 201 ends the processing of FIG. 4.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5, after executing the notification process in step S206, the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 determines whether a registration notification or a registration impossible notification has been received from the medical system 20 (S207).

[0086] When the control unit 101 receives a registration completion notification (S207: YES), the control unit 101 ends the notification process of step S206 and executes a management information issuing process for issuing management information (access code, confirmation number) to the patient (S208). On the other hand, when the control unit 101 receives a registration failure notification (S207: NO), the control unit 101 ends the notification process of step S206 and executes an exchange information issuing process for presenting the patient with prescription exchange information for receiving a paper prescription (S209).

[0087] FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing a notification screen 310 displayed on the operation display unit 106 of the settlement terminal 10 in step S208 (management information presentation process) in FIG.

[0088] The notification screen 310 includes a message 311 for notifying that registration of the electronic prescription in the server 30 has been completed, a message 312 for notifying that a sheet for receiving the medicine at the dispensing pharmacy will be printed, and an OK button 313. The patient refers to the messages 311 and 312 and understands that he or she can receive his or her medicine by bringing the sheet that will be printed to the dispensing pharmacy. The patient then operates the OK button 313. In response to this, the control unit 101 causes the printing unit 108 to output a sheet on which management information (access code, confirmation number) is printed. The patient can receive his or her medicine by bringing the output sheet to the dispensing pharmacy and presenting it.

[0089] FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing a notification screen 320 displayed on the operation display unit 106 of the settlement terminal 10 in step S209 (exchange information presentation process) in FIG.

[0090] The notification screen 320 includes a message 321 for notifying that the electronic prescription could not be registered in the server 30, a message 322 for notifying that a voucher for receiving the patient's drug prescription at the counter of the medical institution will be printed, and an OK button 323. The patient refers to the messages 321 and 322 and understands that the patient can receive the patient's drug prescription by presenting the voucher to be printed at the counter of the medical institution. The patient then operates the OK button 323. In response to this, the control unit 101 causes the printing unit 108 to output a voucher on which the prescription exchange information is printed. The patient presents the output voucher at the counter to receive the prescription. The patient can then bring the received prescription to a dispensing pharmacy and present it to receive the patient's drug.

[0091] In step S209 of FIG. 5, a prescription exchange ticket is issued as described above, but instead, the prescription may be directly issued from the settlement terminal 10.

[0092] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 2, the prescription processing system 2 includes a settlement processing unit 101a (control unit 101) that executes transaction processing related to the settlement of medical expenses, and a registration processing unit 201a (control unit 201) that executes registration processing for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the settlement processing unit 101a does not complete the transaction processing (S205, S206) even if the settlement of medical expenses is performed (S204: YES), but completes the transaction processing (S208, end) based on the fact that the registration processing unit 201a receives a response from the server 30 regarding the registration of the electronic prescription information (S207: YES). In this way, the transaction processing related to the settlement is not completed until the electronic prescription information is registered in the server 30. Therefore, after completing the settlement transaction, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at a dispensing pharmacy or the like.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 4, the registration processing unit 201a (control unit 201) transmits the electronic prescription information to the server 30 (S106) based on the fact that the settlement processing unit 101a (control unit 101) has completed settlement of medical expenses (S105: YES). This makes it possible to prevent medicines based on the electronic prescription information from being delivered to a patient in a state where the patient has forgotten to pay medical expenses. Therefore, medicines based on the electronic prescription information can be delivered more smoothly and appropriately.

[0095] For example, there are cases where a patient happens to forget to pay the medical fee and gets the medicine and leaves, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the chances of this forgetting can be reduced. Also, there are rare cases where patients intentionally do not pay the medical fee, but with this configuration, the patient cannot receive the prescription unless the medical fee is paid, so the medical institution can reduce the chances of financial trouble and non-payment of medical fees.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 5, the settlement processing unit 101a (control unit 101) executes a notification process to notify that the transaction process is ongoing (S206) based on the completion of the settlement of medical expenses (S204: YES), and ends the notification process (S208) based on the fact that the registration processing unit 201a (control unit 201) has received a response indicating that registration has been completed (S207: YES). This allows the patient to wait by the notification process (notification screen 300 in FIG. 6(a)) until the registration of the electronic prescription information to the server 30 is completed. Therefore, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at a dispensing pharmacy or the like after the settlement transaction is completed.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 6(a), the settlement processing unit 101a (control unit 101) notifies the patient that the electronic prescription information is being registered in the notification process (message 302). This allows the patient to know that his / her electronic prescription information is being registered in the server 30. Therefore, the patient can know that he / she can receive his / her medicines based on the electronic prescription information after the completion of the settlement transaction, and can smoothly receive the medicines.

[0098] The prescription processing system 2 includes an output processing unit 101b (control unit 101) that executes a process (S208 in FIG. 5) for presenting management information (access code, confirmation number) for identifying electronic prescription information to a user such as a patient based on the fact that the registration processing unit 201a (control unit 201) has received a response indicating that registration has been completed (YES in S207 in FIG. 5). This allows a user such as a patient to obtain management information (access code, confirmation number) for electronic prescription information upon completion of a settlement transaction. This allows smooth receipt of medicines based on electronic prescription information.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 5, the settlement processing unit 101a (control unit 101) executes delivery processing to deliver the prescription in a form other than via the server 30 (S209) based on the fact that the registration processing unit 201a (control unit 201) has not received a response indicating that the prescription has been registered (S207: NO). This allows the patient to receive the prescription in a different form when registration of the electronic prescription information to the server 30 fails. This allows the patient to smoothly receive the medicine thereafter.

[0100] <Embodiment 2> In the above embodiment 1, the registration processing unit 201a that executes the registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server 30 is realized as a function of the control unit 201 on the medical system 20 side, but in embodiment 2, the registration processing unit is placed in the settlement terminal 10.

[0101] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0102] 7, in the second embodiment, the function of a registration processing unit 101c is further imparted to the control unit 101 by the program stored in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server 30 by the function of the registration processing unit 101c.

[0103] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 when settling medical expenses and issuing a prescription. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 when settling medical expenses and issuing a prescription.

[0104] The process of step S208 in Fig. 9 is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the output processing unit 101b, as in the first embodiment above, and the process of step S211 in Fig. 9 is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the registration processing unit 101c. The processes of each step other than steps S208 and S211 in Fig. 9 are performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the settlement processing unit 101a. For convenience, the following description will be given assuming that the control entity in Fig. 9 is the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10.

[0105] The processes in steps S101, S102, and S105 in Fig. 8 are similar to the processes in the corresponding steps in Fig. 4. Moreover, the processes in steps S201 to S206, S208, and S209 in Fig. 9 are similar to the processes in the corresponding steps in Fig. 5.

[0106] 8, when the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives a settlement start notification from the settlement terminal 10 (S101: YES), it transmits medical information for the medical treatment to be settled to the settlement terminal 10 (S102) and waits for receipt of a settlement completion notification (S105). After that, when it receives a settlement completion notification from the settlement terminal 10 (S105: YES), the control unit 201 transmits electronic prescription information for the medical treatment to the settlement terminal 10 (S111) and waits for receipt of a registration notification of the electronic prescription information (S112). Note that since it is expected that it will take time to register the electronic prescription information, step S111 does not necessarily have to be executed at this timing, and may be executed, for example, before step S102 or step S105.

[0107] When the control unit 201 receives a registration notification from the settlement terminal 10 (S112: YES), the control unit 201 stores a registration flag in association with the medical treatment in the medical treatment database (S113) and ends the process. On the other hand, when the control unit 201 receives a registration failure notification from the settlement terminal 10 (S112: NO), the control unit 201 transmits prescription exchange information to the settlement terminal 10 (S114) and ends the process.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 9, when the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 starts a settlement transaction (S201: YES), it transmits a settlement start notification to the medical system 20 (S202). In response to this, when medical information is received from the medical system 20, the control unit 101 executes a settlement process based on the medical information (S203). As a result, when the patient performs the settlement procedure and the settlement process is completed (S204: YES), the control unit 101 transmits a settlement completion notification to the medical system 20 (S205) and executes a notification process (S206). In the notification process, the control unit 101 causes the operation display unit 106 to display a notification screen 300 similar to that of FIG. 6(a). Furthermore, the control unit 101 executes a prescription registration process for registering electronic prescription information in the server 30 (S211).

[0109] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the prescription registration process in step S211 of FIG.

[0110] The control unit 101 transmits a request for issuing management information (access code, confirmation number) to the server 30 via the communication unit 110 (S221). Thereafter, the control unit 101 waits to receive a response including the management information (access code, confirmation number) from the server 30 (S222).

[0111] The management information (access code, confirmation number) may be acquired in advance by the medical system 20. In this case, the control unit 101 performs a process of acquiring the management information from the medical system 20 instead of step S221 in Fig. 10, and determines whether the management information has been acquired from the medical system 20 in step S222.

[0112] If a response including the management information can be received from the server 30 within a predetermined time (S222: YES), the control unit 101 transmits the electronic prescription information transmitted from the medical system 20 in step S111 of FIG. 8 together with the management information to the server 30 (S223), and waits to receive a registered response from the server 30 (S224). On the other hand, if a response including the management information cannot be received from the server 30 within a predetermined time, or if a response cannot be properly received, such as when a response including the management information can be received within a predetermined time but there is an abnormality in the received data (S222: NO), the control unit 101 advances the process to step S226 and determines that the electronic prescription information could not be registered in the server 30.

[0113] In step S224, if a response indicating that registration has been completed is received from the server 30 within the predetermined time (S224: YES), the control unit 101 determines that registration of the electronic prescription information to the server 30 has been completed (S225). On the other hand, if a response indicating that registration has been completed is not received from the server 30 within the predetermined time, or if a response is received within the predetermined time but the received data has an abnormality, or otherwise the response is not properly received (S224: NO), the control unit 101 determines that the electronic prescription information has not been registered to the server 30 (S226).

[0114] Returning to Fig. 9, when it is determined that the electronic prescription information has been registered in the server 30 (S212: YES), the control unit 101 transmits a registration notification to the medical system 20 (S213). In this case, the determination in step S112 in Fig. 8 becomes YES, and a registration flag is registered in the medical database as described above (S113). Then, the control unit 101 executes a process of issuing the management information (access code, management number) received from the server 30 in step S222 in Fig. 10 to the patient (S208), and ends the process in Fig. 9.

[0115] On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines that the electronic prescription information could not be registered in the server 30 (S212: NO), it transmits a registration failure notification to the medical system 20 (S214). In this case, the determination in step S112 of FIG. 8 is NO, and the prescription exchange information is transmitted from the medical system 20 to the settlement terminal 10 (S114) as described above. In response to this, the control unit 101 executes a process of issuing the received prescription exchange information to the patient (S209). This causes the control unit 101 to end the process of FIG. 9.

[0116] <Effects of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the transaction process for settlement is not completed until the electronic prescription information is registered in the server 30. Therefore, after completing the settlement transaction, the patient can reliably receive the medicine based on the prescription at a dispensing pharmacy, etc. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0117] <Example of change> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention are possible.

[0118] For example, the arrangement of the registration processing unit, the settlement processing unit, and the output processing unit is not limited to the arrangement shown in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, and can be changed as appropriate. When the prescription processing system 2 includes another processing device together with the medical system 20 and the settlement terminal 10, any or all of the registration processing unit, the settlement processing unit, and the output processing unit may be arranged in this processing device.

[0119] In addition, in the configuration example of Figure 1, the medical system 20 and the settlement terminal 10 are connected via a LAN to configure the prescription processing system 2 within the medical institution, but in cases where both management of medical information and settlement of medical fees are performed by a single settlement terminal installed at the counter, such as in small hospitals and clinics, this settlement terminal may perform the registration process of electronic prescription information similar to that described above.

[0120] In this case, the settlement terminal may be configured similarly to the settlement terminal 10 in FIG. 7. Step S202 in FIG. 9 is omitted, and the settlement process in step S203 is performed based on the medical information managed by the terminal device itself. In addition, in step S211 in FIG. 9, the electronic prescription information managed by the terminal device itself is used to register the electronic prescription information in the server 30. In addition, instead of step S213 in FIG. 9, a registered flag is registered in the medical database managed by the terminal device itself. In addition, step S214 in FIG. 9 is omitted, and instead of step S209, the prescription is issued to the patient at the settlement terminal based on the prescription information managed by the terminal device itself.

[0121] In the above first and second embodiments, the management information (access code, management number) is printed on a paper medium and issued to the patient, but the method of issuing the management information is not limited to this. For example, the management information may be stored in a writable medium owned by the patient, such as a My Number card. Alternatively, the necessary information may be obtained by a mobile terminal of the patient by utilizing data transmission or a QR code (registered trademark). A prescription issued when electronic prescription information cannot be registered in the server 30 may also be issued to the patient in a form other than a paper medium.

[0122] In addition, the configuration of the notification screen 300 is not necessarily limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 6(a) and may be other configurations. The contents of the message can also be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the configurations and contents of the notification screens 310 and 320 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 6(b) and (c) and may be other configurations and contents.

[0123] In addition, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the information shown in FIG. 3 is managed by the server 30, but if the settlement terminal 10 can also settle the medicine fee, the server 30 may further manage whether the medicine fee has been settled. In this case, the settlement completion notice transmitted in step S205 of FIG. 5 includes information indicating whether the medicine fee has been settled, and in step S106 of FIG. 4, information indicating whether the medicine fee has been settled is transmitted to the server together with the electronic prescription information. Then, the response received from the server 30 in step S107 includes information indicating that the electronic prescription information and the information indicating whether the medicine fee has been settled have been registered. In the second embodiment, the same correction may be performed. As a result, when the pharmacy terminal 40 accesses the server 30, it is possible to confirm whether the patient has already paid the medicine fee, and the delivery of the medicine at the dispensing pharmacy can be smoothly carried out.

[0124] In addition, in this way, when the payment terminal 10 is capable of further settling the drug cost, the payment of both the medical fee and the drug cost may be set as a condition for registering the electronic prescription information to the server 30. In this case, when the patient setstling only the medical fee, the process of registering the electronic prescription information to the server 30 is not performed, and the prescription is issued to the patient by printing on a paper medium or recording on a My Number card or the like.

[0125] In the above first and second embodiments, the condition for sending electronic prescription information to the server 30 is that the medical fee settlement has been completed, but in this case, the medical fee settlement may be made by a method other than cash or credit card. For example, if a medical institution has a post-payment system for medical fees, the completion of the medical fee settlement procedure through the post-payment system may be included in the condition for sending electronic prescription information.

[0126] In addition, in the above embodiments 1 and 2, a process of registering electronic prescription information in the server 30 was performed when the settlement of medical expenses was completed. However, even when the settlement of medical expenses is completed, if certain conditions are met, a process of issuing a regular prescription to the patient without registering the electronic prescription information in the server 30 may be performed.

[0127] In this case, the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively.

[0128] 11, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 transmits medical information to the payment terminal 10 (S102), and then determines whether the condition is satisfied (S121). If the condition is satisfied (S121: YES), the control unit 201 transmits prescription exchange information to the payment terminal 10 (S122) and ends the process. If the condition is not satisfied (S121: NO), the control unit 201 performs the process from step S103 onwards, as in the first embodiment.

[0129] 12, when the settlement of medical expenses is completed (S204: YES), the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 judges whether the condition is satisfied (S231). If the condition is satisfied (S231: YES), the control unit 201 executes a process of issuing the prescription exchange information received from the medical system 20 in step S122 of FIG. 11 to the patient (S209), and ends the process of FIG. 12. If the condition is not satisfied (S231: NO), the control unit 101 executes the process of step S205 and thereafter, as in the first embodiment.

[0130] The conditions in step S121 in Fig. 11 and step 231 in Fig. 12 may include, for example, when a first mode in which a drug is issued to a patient via registration of electronic prescription information in the server 30 and a second mode in which a prescription is issued to a patient without going through the server 30 can be selectively set in the prescription processing system 2, the administrator of the medical institution may set the second mode in the prescription processing system 2. This allows the medical institution to select the issuance of a prescription using a conventional paper medium or the like (second mode) depending on the operation status of prescription issuance, etc., and allows for smoother issuance of prescriptions.

[0131] 11 and step S231 in FIG. 12 may include, for example, that an emergency mode is set in the prescription processing system 2 due to a disaster or the like. This allows the prescription to be reliably delivered to the patient when the registration of electronic prescription information in the server 30 is unstable due to a disaster or the like.

[0132] In addition, the conditions in step S121 in Fig. 11 and step 231 in Fig. 12 may include that no medical treatment other than face-to-face medical treatment at a medical institution is being performed. Specifically, examples of this medical treatment include "online medical treatment at home" and "visiting medical treatment at home or a facility." As a result, prescriptions are issued to patients by electronic prescription during these medical treatments, so prescriptions can be issued quickly to patients who are far from medical institutions, such as their homes, and patients can receive medicines smoothly.

[0133] In addition, the control for issuing a prescription is not limited to the control in Figures 4 and 5, the control in Figures 8 and 9, or the control in Figures 11 and 12, and the order of certain steps may be changed. For example, in the flowchart in Figure 4, step S105 may be moved between steps S102 and S103, and the flowchart may be changed to that shown in Figure 13. In this case, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 requests the server 30 to issue management information in response to the completion of the settlement of medical expenses at the settlement terminal 10. This can also achieve the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment 1.

[0134] Furthermore, the configurations of the settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20 are not limited to those described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 and the modified examples. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, the operation display units 106 and 203 are used to input and display information, but the display unit consisting of a display or the like and the operation unit consisting of a mouse, a keypad, or the like may be arranged separately.

[0135] Furthermore, the registration processing unit, the settlement processing unit, and the output processing unit do not necessarily have to be realized by program functions, and each may be individually configured by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0136] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 2. Prescription Processing System 10 Payment terminal 20 Medical System 30 Servers 50 External communication network 101a Payment Processing Unit 101b Output processing section 101c, 201a Registration processing section

Claims

1. A prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network, a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses; A registration processing unit that executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server, The settlement processing unit completes the transaction processing based on the registration processing unit receiving a response from the server regarding the electronic prescription information being registered.

2. The prescription processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the completion of the settlement of the medical expenses by the settlement processing unit.

3. The prescription processing system of claim 2, wherein the settlement processing unit executes a notification process to notify that the transaction processing is ongoing based on the completion of settlement of the medical expenses, and terminates the notification process based on the registration processing unit receiving the response.

4. The prescription processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the settlement processing unit notifies the user that the electronic prescription information is being registered in the notification process.

5. The prescription processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an output processing unit that executes a process for presenting management information that identifies the electronic prescription information to a user based on the response received by the registration processing unit.

6. The prescription processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the settlement processing unit executes a delivery process to deliver the prescription in a manner other than via the server based on the failure of the registration processing unit to receive the response.

7. a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses; A communication unit, The settlement processing unit executes the transaction processing corresponding to the medical treatment, and then completes the transaction processing based on receiving a notification via the communication unit indicating that electronic prescription information corresponding to the medical treatment has been registered in a server.

8. The electronic prescription information storage device further includes a registration processing unit that executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server, The registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the completion of the settlement of the medical expenses by the settlement processing unit, The settlement processing unit completes the transaction processing based on the fact that the registration processing unit has received a response regarding the registration of the electronic prescription information from the server as the notification.

8. The settlement terminal according to claim 7.

9. The settlement terminal according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the settlement processing unit executes a notification process to notify that the transaction processing is ongoing based on completion of settlement of the medical expenses, and terminates the notification process based on receiving the notification.

10. The settlement terminal according to claim 9, wherein the settlement processing unit notifies that the electronic prescription information is being registered in the notification process.

11. The settlement terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising an output processing unit that executes a process for presenting management information that identifies the electronic prescription information to a user based on receiving the notification via the communication unit.

12. The settlement terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the settlement processing unit executes an issuance process for issuing the prescription in a manner other than via the server based on the inability to receive the notification via the communication unit.

13. 1. A method of processing prescriptions using computer software for automatically registering electronic prescription information in a server, comprising: Execute transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses, Execute a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to the medical treatment in the server; The prescription processing method completes the transaction processing based on receiving a response from the server regarding the registration of the electronic prescription information.

14. A prescription processing system comprising a payment terminal operated by a user for medical expense settlement at a medical institution, and capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network, a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses; A registration processing unit that executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server, A prescription processing system in which the registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the settlement processing unit completing settlement of the medical expenses.

15. The settlement terminal includes a printing unit that prints and outputs predetermined information on a sheet, The prescription processing system according to claim 14, further comprising an output processing unit that causes the printing unit to output a sheet including management information for identifying the electronic prescription information based on the settlement processing unit completing settlement of the medical expenses.

16. The prescription processing system has a first mode in which a drug is delivered to a user via registration of electronic prescription information in the server, and a second mode in which a prescription is delivered to a user without going through the server; The prescription processing system according to claim 15 , wherein the output processing unit, in the first mode, causes the printing unit to output the sheet including the management information.

17. A payment terminal that is operated by a user for medical expense settlement at a medical institution and is capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network, a settlement processing unit that executes transaction processing related to settlement of medical expenses; A registration processing unit that executes a registration process for registering electronic prescription information corresponding to medical treatment in the server, The registration processing unit transmits the electronic prescription information to the server based on the completion of the settlement of the medical expenses by the settlement processing unit.

18. A printing unit that prints and outputs predetermined information on a sheet, The settlement terminal according to claim 17, further comprising an output processing unit that causes the printing unit to output a sheet including management information for identifying the electronic prescription information based on the settlement processing unit completing settlement of the medical expenses.

19. The settlement terminal has a first mode in which a drug is delivered to a user through registration of electronic prescription information in the server, and a second mode in which a prescription is delivered to a user without going through the server, The settlement terminal according to claim 18 , wherein the output processing unit, in the first mode, causes the printing unit to output the sheet including the management information.

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