Alphabetical filing systems order patient records by name.

Put Nothing Before Something

For example, Ann before Anne:

• Jones, Ann
• Jones, Anne
• Jones, Anne M
• Jones, Anne Marie (Anne before Anne M, before Anne Marie)
• Jones, Anne Marie II

Treat Hyphenated Names as One Name

For example:

• JonesRodrigues, Ann

Alphabetize Titles

For example, Jr. before Sr.:

• Kalinsky, Jerry Jr.
• Kalinsky, Jerry Sr.

Blank before I (nothing before something), I before II:

• Robert Muszinsky
• Robert Muszinsky I
• Robert Muszinsky II

Ignore Capitalization Within a Surname

File in ABC order:

• MacDonald, Joe
• McDonald, Joe

Married Versus Maiden Names

If Ms. Jones uses only the married name Rodrigues:

• Rodrigues, Ann Jones

If Ms. Jones marries Mr. Rodrigues and hyphenates her name:

• JonesRodrigues, Ann

Hyphenated Names

Use a cross-reference guide:

• Jones, Ann see: JonesRodrigues, Ann

Two Patients With Same Name

Use address to file in order according to this chart:

So, Mason before Washington:

Gary E. Burns
15 Mason Road
Willington, CT

Gary E. Burns
7 Washington Blvd
Willington, CT

And Willington before Windham:

Gary E. Burns
7 Washington Blvd
Willington, CT

Gary E. Burns
1 Adams Street
Windham, CT