Information on How to File Medical Records Alphabetically & Numerically

Some people reading and using laptop computer inside library.jpg

Medical records can be filed in either alphabetic or numeric order. The method you choose will depend upon the preferences of your medical office. You simply need to follow a concrete system in order to file medical records in either manner. The alphabetic method probably will gain the most support, since this method easily allows you to add information to files regardless of the date on which you receive new information on a patient.

1 Decide upon a method

Decide upon a method. You can only sort files by either one method or the other. If you wish, you could photocopy every single file you ever bring in. This would allow you to sort files both alphabetically and numerically.

2 Sort the files

Sort the files. Use either alphabetic or numeric guidelines when sorting the files. In the alphabet, the first letter will be “A” and the last will be “Z.” For numeric sorting, start with the number “1” and sequentially move upwards.

3 Obey the system

Obey the system. You need to use the method you selected to sort all future files. This will keep you organized and easily allow access to the relevant medical records.

Alex Lubyansky has been a writer since 2007. He was a research assistant for the legal publication "Feminist Jurisprudence: Volume IV" and has been published in the Education and Employment Tips section of a prominent website. He holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and is currently a law student at DePaul University.

×