Consecutive Filing
File by increasing number. Think of counting in sequence:
Nonconsecutive Filing Systems
File by a primary unit other than the first digits in sequence.
Terminal Digit Filing
| 3 | 2 | 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the last two digits first | 43 | 22 | 15 |
| The second set is then used | 43 | 23 | 15 |
| Then the first units | 44 | 23 | 15 |
| 43 | 22 | 16 | |
| 42 | 21 | 17 |
NOTE: Terminal digit filing can be used to file patients by age. The last two digits could correspond to the year of birth. Any one of the sets of numbers could correspond to other variables, such as the treating physician, the office site, month codes for appointment reminders, and so on.
Middle Digit Filing
| 2 | 1 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the middle two digits first | 42 | 21 | 17 |
| The first set is filed second | 43 | 22 | 15 |
| The last set is filed third | 43 | 22 | 16 |
FILE NUMBER SIGNIFICANCE IN MY OFFICE: ____________________________________________________________