MORTUARY BILLING SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the introduction to a mortuary billing system. It presents the theoretical background, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.

1.1 Theoretical Background

The technologies applied for the development of the system are Visual BASIC 6.0 and Microsoft Access 2003 database. Visual BASIC provides tools to create a graphical user interface for data capture and it can be linked to the database to save the captured information. The programming language also aids in the accurate computation of the total amount to be paid. For instance, the source code and rendering below shows how an error message is displayed when the total bill is not successfully  computed due to wrong inputs by the user.

Private Sub Command4_Click()

On Error GoTo bc

Text14.Text = (CDbl(Text6.Text) + CDbl(Text7.Text) + CDbl(Text8.Text) + CDbl(Text9.Text) + _

CDbl(Text11.Text) + CDbl(Text12.Text)) * (CDbl(Text13.Text))

Exit Sub

bc:

MsgBox “Error, Check Inputs”

End Sub

Fig 1.1: Error message box screen

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The following problems were identified in the existing system at the case study:

Inability to accurately calculate bill for mortuary service Errors in computation of mortuary bills. Difficulties in obtaining mortuary bills report.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to develop a mortuary billing system. The following are the specific objectives to realize the needed aim:

To design a system that can be utilized to accurately bill for mortuary services. To design a database system that can be used to store mortuary billing records. To design a system that can be used to obtain mortuary bill reports.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The study is significant in the following ways:

It will provide the mortuary division of General Hospital Ikot Ekpene with an effective system to accurately compute and record mortuary bills. It will aid easy management of mortuary billing information. It will serve as a reference material for future research.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study covers Mortuaries billing system: its design and implementation using General hospital, Ikot Ekpene as a case study.

1.6 Organization of the Research

This research work is organized into five chapters. Chapter one is concerned with the introduction of the research study and it presents the preliminaries, theoretical background, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.

Chapter two focuses on the literature review, the contributions of other scholars on the subject matter is discussed.

Chapter three is concerned with the system analysis and design. It presents the research methodology used in the development of the system, it analyzes the present system to identify the problems and provides information on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed system. The system design is also presented in this chapter.

Chapter four presents the system implementation and documentation, the choice of programming language, analysis of modules, choice of programming language and system requirements for implementation.

Chapter five focuses on the summary, constraints of the study, conclusion and recommendations are provided in this chapter based on the study carried out.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Mortuary: a place where dead bodies are stored prior to burial or cremation.

Embalm:  To treat a corpse

Funeral: A ceremony to honour and remember a deceased person

Bill: Amount charged for a service

Autopsy: An activity performed to find out the cause of death.