Use of indexing rules and filing of MPI in hospitals of Mazandaran university of medical sciences, 2005

Background and The master patient’s index (MPÏ) card is the key to locate the patient’s record in medical records department. Üse of MPÏ in hospital information systems is important. Ân accurate MPÏ is noted in evaluation and accreditation program. Ôur study was done on MPÏ at medical records depatment of teaching hospitals in Mazandaran medical university in respect of using indexing rules and arrangement of cards for filing. This survey was done on patient’s cards in 5 teaching hospitals of Mazandaran medical university and 1999 MPÏ cards were checked. Â part of data related to using indexing rules and filing was gathered with checklist and factors associated with management of department collected in questionnaire. Data processed with SPSS software and analyzed with descriptive and inference statistics. Findings showed that 20% of staff responsible for indexing and filing of MPÏ were technician (post diploma course) in medical records. Ïn 100% of hospitals, guide card and cross-index card wasn’t use. Ïndexing error increased with the increasing the number of admitted patients (p= 0.003), low experience (p= 0.001) and degree and no course study relation of medical records department managers (X2= 9./03, p = 0.000). Ïn addition, indexing error increased in staff with no academic training (X2= 3.84, p = 0.05). Âlso results showed that there is 64.2% indexing error and 9% of cards are misfiled. Çonclusion: Âccording to the findings, staffing professional personnel, training them with up dated knowledge, periodic control of issued cards, creating needed rules and regulation based on new scientific materials, exact indexing and filling rules suggested.