Final answer:
In a serial-unit numbering system, a patient receives a new health record number for each admission, with all prior records consolidated under the most recent number. Therefore correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of healthcare facility management and record keeping, the scenario described indicates a serial-unit numbering system. In a serial-unit system, each time a patient is admitted to the healthcare facility, they are assigned a new health record number, with all documentation from previous admissions filed under the most recent number. This ensures that the patient's historical information remains connected, without the confusion of multiple active records, thus streamlining both administrative and clinical workflows.
On the other hand, a serial numbering system would involve issuing a new number for each visit without consolidating records, while a unit system would assign a single permanent number for all visits and encounters. The alphabetic system is entirely different and involves organizing patient records based on alphabetic order of patient names rather than numerical identifiers.
Here's an example: If John Doe visits the hospital for the first time, he is assigned health record number 123. The second time, he is given a new number, 456, and the third time, 789. With the serial-unit system, John Doe's records from visits 1 and 2 (123 and 456) would be filed under his most recent number, 789, so all his information is maintained in one place.