In a numeric filing system, records are arranged in what order?

In a numeric filing system, records are arranged in what order?

• A. By alphabetical order of patient name
• B. By date of discharge only
• C. By last visit date
• D. In ascending numerical order according to the health record number

Answer: (D)

In a numeric filing system, records are organized by the health record number, arranged from the smallest number to the largest. This unique numeric identifier acts as the primary key, so each chart has a precise, unchanging reference. Sorting by this number makes retrieval fast and reliable, and it avoids issues that can come with names (like similar spellings or name changes). New records simply receive the next available number and slide into place without reordering based on names or dates. Using alphabetical order would rely on patient names, which can be duplicated or altered and may require extra cross-referencing. Sorting by discharge date or last visit date can create conflicts since multiple charts can share the same date and these dates can change over time. The health record number provides a stable, unique, and easily sortable key, so records are consistently filed in ascending order.

In a numeric filing system, records are organized by the health record number, arranged from the smallest number to the largest. This unique numeric identifier acts as the primary key, so each chart has a precise, unchanging reference. Sorting by this number makes retrieval fast and reliable, and it avoids issues that can come with names (like similar spellings or name changes). New records simply receive the next available number and slide into place without reordering based on names or dates.

Using alphabetical order would rely on patient names, which can be duplicated or altered and may require extra cross-referencing. Sorting by discharge date or last visit date can create conflicts since multiple charts can share the same date and these dates can change over time. The health record number provides a stable, unique, and easily sortable key, so records are consistently filed in ascending order.