Which statement best describes the outpatient record filing system?

• A. Terminal digit filing
• B. Tertiary number filing system
• C. Terminal digit, color-coded and blocked filing system
• D. Tertiary number, color-coded and blocked filing system

Answer: (C)

Outpatient records are kept in a system designed for fast, high-volume retrieval. Terminal digit filing uses the last two digits of the record number to determine where a file is stored, which spreads files across the cabinet so searches don’t pile up in one area. Adding color coding gives a quick visual cue to the digit ranges, helping staff spot the correct section at a glance. Blocking the filing means the cabinet is divided into sections by digit ranges, so you search within a smaller, defined area and can add new files without disrupting the others. Put together, this combination makes locating and organizing outpatient records efficient and scalable for busy clinics. The other descriptions omit one or more of these elements, making them less suited to the speed and volume typical of outpatient filing.