In health information management, what type of numbering system maintains continuity for patients?

The unit numbering system is noteworthy for maintaining continuity for patients by assigning a unique, permanent medical record number to each patient upon their first visit. This system ensures that all subsequent visits and entries related to that patient are recorded under the same number, creating a cohesive medical history. It enhances the management of patient information by facilitating quick and accurate retrieval of health records over time.

This is particularly advantageous in settings where patients may return multiple times throughout their lives, as it allows healthcare providers to easily access the complete medical record. The unit numbering system eliminates confusion that can arise from multiple identifiers for the same patient, ultimately improving the quality of care and patient safety.

In contrast, other systems such as serial-unit numbering or terminal digit filing can complicate continuity of care. Serial-unit numbering assigns a different number for each visit, leading to fragmented records, while terminal digit filing organizes records based on the last digits of the patient number, which does not inherently provide continuity across a patient’s visits. Alphabetic filing further deviates from this focus on continuity, as it organizes records based on names rather than a unique patient identifier.