What are ways to file patients charts?

Answer 1

• Chronological

  Arranged by date. Most useful for small files and for records that have a very short life span so that you can destroy older materials without difficulty.

• Numeric

  Arranged by number. In its simplest form, a serial arrangement beginning with the lowest number and proceeding, but more complex systems can be used for large series. Best for case files of one type or another, permits, and forms where numbers have already been assigned.

• Alphabetical

  Arranged in alphabetical order from A-Z. This is the basic arrangement for most subject files. There are books written on both how to assign the titles that are put in alphabetical order, and how to alphabetize the folder (Do you file University of Maryland under University or Maryland?). Alphabetical subject files are difficult to manage unless they are very focused, and the filing and identification of folders is consistent. If you have a folder that concerns the publication of a Federal Register notice concerning a regulation on a specific chemical, do you file it under Federal Register Notices, regulations, or the name of the chemical? Best used for small files or very consistent ones where the folder titles are easily determined -- e.g., a file of all outgoing correspondence arranged by addressee.

• Alpha-numeric

  Arranged according to an identifier made up of letters and numbers. Whenever possible, the alphabetic and numeric parts of the identifier should mean something rather than being arbitrarily assigned.