What is an accession number used for in health information management?

What is an accession number used for in health information management?

• A. To identify the patient’s insurance policy
• B. To track the number of entries into a registry each year
• C. To code diagnoses for billing purposes
• D. To manage patient discharge dates

Answer: (B)

An accession number serves as a unique identifier assigned to each entry or case within a registry, facilitating the tracking and organization of data entries over time. In health information management, particularly within registries, an accession number allows for efficient numbering of patient records or conditions that are reported. This practice is essential in monitoring how many cases are added to the registry within a specific timeframe, such as annually. Therefore, it plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of registry data, making it easier for healthcare organizations to analyze trends, compile statistics, and report on various health outcomes. In contrast, identifying a patient’s insurance policy pertains more to billing and patient management rather than data tracking within registries. Coding diagnoses for billing purposes is a separate function focused on financial transactions and insurance claims, while managing patient discharge dates relates to clinical and administrative workflows rather than data entry tracking. Each of these areas serves different purposes, which further emphasizes the specific role of the accession number in registry management.

An accession number serves as a unique identifier assigned to each entry or case within a registry, facilitating the tracking and organization of data entries over time. In health information management, particularly within registries, an accession number allows for efficient numbering of patient records or conditions that are reported. This practice is essential in monitoring how many cases are added to the registry within a specific timeframe, such as annually. Therefore, it plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of registry data, making it easier for healthcare organizations to analyze trends, compile statistics, and report on various health outcomes.

In contrast, identifying a patient’s insurance policy pertains more to billing and patient management rather than data tracking within registries. Coding diagnoses for billing purposes is a separate function focused on financial transactions and insurance claims, while managing patient discharge dates relates to clinical and administrative workflows rather than data entry tracking. Each of these areas serves different purposes, which further emphasizes the specific role of the accession number in registry management.