PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 10
Second Edition
Ramutkowski • Booth • Pugh • Thompson • Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
1
Managing the Office
Medical Records
Objectives
101 Describe the equipment and supplies needed
for filing medical records.
102 List and describe the various types of filing
systems.
103 Discuss the benefits of each type of system.
104 Discuss the advantages of color coding the
files.
105 Explain how to set up and use a tickler file.
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Managing the Office
Medical Records
Objectives (cont.)
106 Describe each of the five steps in the filing
process.
107 Explain the steps to take in trying to locate a
misplaced file.
108 List and describe the basic file storage
options and the advantages of each.
109 Identify criteria for determining whether files
should be retained, stored, or discarded.
3
Importance of
Records Management
The medical records are the most valuable
information in the medical office.
A records management system refers to the
way patient records are:
Created.
Filed.
Maintained.
A wellorganized, easytouse system saves
time and protects vital medical data. 4
Filing Equipment
Filing Shelves
Files are stacked upright on shelves in boxes or
heavyduty envelopes
Filing Cabinets
Sturdy pieces of office furniture
Usually made of metal or wood
Both vertical and horizontal (lateral) file cabinets
are available
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Filing Equipment
(cont.)
Compactable Files
Kept on rolling shelves that slide along
permanent tracks on the floor
Seen often in offices with limited space
for files
Rotary Circular Files
Files are stored in a circular fashion
resembling a revolving door
Also common when space is limited
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Filing Equipment
(cont.)
Plastic or Cardboard Tubs or Boxes
Organized like filing cabinet drawers
Files can easily be misplaced with this
system.
Labeling Filing Equipment
The outside of the file drawer should be labeled
to represent its contents.
AD
7
Filing Equipment
(cont.)
Security Measures
Equipment Safety
Many filing cabinets have locks, and the keys
should be available to limited staff personnel.
Post safety equipment for each type of filing
system.
Purchasing Filing Equipment
First determine the amount of space availability
Then determine number of files to be included
8
Filing Supplies
File Folders
Tab
• Referred to as manila folders
• Available in 8 ½ by 11 inches and 8 ½ by 14 inches
• Tabs are tapered rectangular or rounded extensions
at the top of the folder
• Tabs have a variety of cuts
Smith,A.
Labeling File Folders
Adams, G.
• Tabs on the file folder identify the contents
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Filing Supplies (cont.)
File Jackets
File Guides
Resemble file folders but have plastic or
metal hooks on both sides to anchor it
Files are placed inside these jackets
Heavy cardboard or plastic inserts that
identify groups of files
Out Guides
A marker made of stiff material that is used
as a placeholder for removed files
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Filing Supplies (cont.)
File Sorters
Binders
Large envelopestyle folders with tabs
that temporarily store files
Some offices use three ring binders to
keep patient records
Tabs are used to separate individual
charts
Purchasing Filing Supplies
A common responsibility for medical
assistants
11
Apply Your Knowledge
A busy medical office is considering changing their
current filing equipment. Which equipment would
you recommend to this noncomputerized office that
will afford more persons to retrieve files at the same
time?
12
Apply Your Knowledge Answer
A busy medical office is considering changing their
current filing equipment. Which equipment would
you recommend to this noncomputerized office that
will afford more persons to retrieve files at the same
time?
Filing shelves would be a great system if adequate
space is available.
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Filing Systems
•Files are arranged in alphabetical order
•Files are labeled with the patient’s last name first, then first
name and middle initial
•Organizes files by numbers instead of names
•Patients are assigned sequential numbers
•This system is often used with highly confidential information
•A master list of patient names and numbers must be kept
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Filing Systems (cont.)
Color
Coding
Using Classifications
• First identify how files are
to be classified
• Select a separate color for
Used to distinguish files each classification
within a filing system
Color coding can be used with both
alphabetic and numeric filing systems.
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Filing Systems (cont.)
Tickler Files
A reminder file
Should be placed separately and reviewed often
Computers now offer tickler files
Supplemental Files
Separate files containing additional information
Prevents cluttering of primary files
Contents should be distinguished from the primary
file contents
16
Apply Your Knowledge
Today is December 17th , which of the information listed
below could be added to a “tickler” file?
a. Names of patients that missed appointments twodays
ago
b. June medical conference dates just received in the mail
c. Names of patients seen today for their annual checkup
17
Apply Your Knowledge Answer
Today is December 17th , which of the information listed
below could be added to a “tickler” file?
a. Names of patients that missed appointments twodays
ago
b. June medical conference dates just received in
the mail
c. Names of patients seen today for their annual
checkup
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The Filing Process
Generally the medical assistant files
three types of items:
New
Patient
Record
Folders
Individual
Documents
For
Existing
Folders
Previously
Filed
Patient
Record
Folders
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The Filing Process (cont.)
Place the files in the appropriate location, so they
can easily be retrieved when needed.
Get the accumulated files in order. This
will save time when storing the folders.
Place an identifying mark to ensure that
the file is put in the correct place.
Name the file using the
office classification system.
Make sure
document is
ready to
be filed.
Inspecting
Storing
Sorting
Coding
Indexing
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Limiting Access to Files
Under no circumstances should original
patient records leave the medical office.
Identifying information is often recorded
when files are retrieved.
Limited persons in the medical office
have access to patient records.
21
Filing Guidelines
Take a close look at the contents of patient
records each time you pull them.
Keep files neat.
Do not overstuff file folders.
Take time to properly place documents into
the folders to prevent damage.
Do not crowd the file drawer.
If possible use both upper and lower case
22
letters to label the folders.
Filing Guidelines (cont.)
Use file guides with a different tab position to aid
with finding files.
It is better to provide too many crossreferences than
too few.
File regularly.
Do not store anything other than files in the file
storage area.
Train all staff that will be able to retrieve files on the
system in place.
Periodically evaluate your office system to see if it
still works.
23
Locating Misplaced Files
Do a complete search of the office to try and locate the
file. If the file is not recovered within 24 to 48 hours, it
may be considered lost.
Lost files can have potentially devastating consequences.
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Active vs. Inactive Files
Active Files
Inactive Files
Files that you use frequently
Files that you use infrequently
Closed Files
Files of patients that no longer consult the office
The physician determines when a file is deemed
inactive or closed
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