A patient's medical record number is 32-12-14. This record is first filed by the number 14. Which filing system is being used?

The filing system being used here is terminal digit filing. In this system, the last segment of the medical record number is prioritized when sorting files. In the given example, the medical record number is 32-12-14, and since it is filed first by the number 14, it illustrates that the last group (or terminal digits) of the number is the key element used for filing.

This approach allows for a more organized filing system where records can be added more easily and systematically, while also improving efficiency when accessing patient records. Terminal digit filing is especially useful in offices with a high volume of records, as it helps distribute files evenly across filing spaces and reduces the problem of shifting files as new records are added.

In contrast, other filing systems like serial numbering focus on the overall number sequence, middle-digit filing prioritizes the middle segment of the number, and unit numbering combines the numerical identifier with the patient’s medical history in a more straightforward sequence. Each of those systems serves a different organizational purpose, but they do not specifically highlight the terminal digits as the priority in the filing process.