What is the basis for alphabetic filing?

The basis for alphabetic filing is structured around organizing records by the surname or last name of individuals, followed by their first names. This method enables efficient locating and retrieving of files, as it mimics the conventional way names are organized in society, where the last name is often considered the primary identifier.

By starting with the last name, an alphabetical system allows for quick access to records since most people search for individuals using their last names first. This method also aids in minimizing confusion when there are multiple individuals with the same first name, as the differentiation is made clear through the last names.

Other filing methods, such as filing records digit by digit or based on medical record numbers, do not leverage the advantages of alphabetical organization for ease of retrieval and clarity among file sorting. Thus, filing structured as the correct answer maximizes efficiency and user-friendliness in health information management systems.