How to Color Code a Medical Chart

A well organized filing system for medical charts is very important. Quick access to the information in any of the charts can be extremely helpful in counsel with a patient or in an emergency situation. Color coding is a way to keep charts even more findable than the usual alphabetical system. You can keep your charts organized after learning to use a color coding system that works for your clinic or office.

Things You'll Need

• Colored files

Instructions

1. Decide which types of information need to be separated by color. Your information could be as simple as the last two digits of the patient ID number, i.e. 00-09 in yellow, 10-19 in green, 20-29 in purple, 30-39 in gray, 40-49 in red, 50-59 in blue, 60-69 in pink, 70-79 in white, 80-89 in orange, 90-99 in gold.

2. Keep your charts arranged in the way that they are, whether by doctor or alphabetical order, but change the file to a colored one based on the information you selected.

3. Type up an explanation of the color meanings for each clinician and administrative worker in the office. Explain how to use the color coding system for finding charts and for putting together charts for new patients.

References

• Filing Supplies