Which index maintains a list in procedure code number order for discharged patients?

The operation index is the correct answer because it specifically organizes and maintains a list of procedures performed on discharged patients in order of procedure code numbers. This index serves as a valuable tool for healthcare facilities by providing a systematic way to retrieve and analyze surgical data, aiding in quality assurance, billing, and statistical reporting.

The operation index facilitates tracking of procedural volumes and trends over time, which can be essential for resource allocation and operational efficiency within healthcare settings. This index is often utilized alongside other indices to enhance the overall effectiveness of data management in a healthcare organization.

In contrast, the physician index lists patients by the names of physicians, making it useful for identifying patient encounters associated with specific doctors. The master patient index is designed to identify and manage patient records across various encounters, ensuring that a single individual’s healthcare data is accurately linked. The disease index categorizes patients according to specific diagnoses or conditions, supporting epidemiological studies and healthcare research. Thus, while all these indices serve important functions in health information management, the operation index is uniquely focused on procedure codes, making it the most relevant choice for the question asked.