How To Choose the Right Medical Chart Dividers for Your Needs

If you’re looking for medical chart dividers, you want something that will stay in place and make your documents easy to read. After all, if you can’t correctly number your charts, your entire office could find themselves confused.

Choosing the right divider can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Fortunately, we have all the information that you need. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to choose the best medical chart dividers on the market.

Define Your Needs

A variety of medical chart dividers are available to cater to different needs. Defining your needs is the first step in choosing the right divider for your requirements.  Do you need dividers for your patient files, for office use, or both? Do you need plain or printed dividers? How many divisions do you need?  Once you have answers to these questions, you can start narrowing down your options to find the best match for your needs.

Know Your Options

It is important to know your options before making a purchase. Some common types of medical chart dividers include:

  • Alphabetical dividers
  • Categorical dividers
  • Specialty dividers
  • Numeric dividers

Alphabetical and categorical dividers are typically the most versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. Specialty dividers may be more appropriate for specific types of information. Numeric dividers can be helpful for organizing large amounts of data.

Decide on the Right Size

An important factor is the size of the divider. There are three basic sizes: letter (8.5″ x 11″), legal (8.5″ x 14″), and ledger (11″ x 17″). The size of the divider you need will depend on the size of the charts you are working with. 

Height of the Divider

You will want to make sure that the divider is tall enough to reach the top of the chart, but not so tall that it blocks the view of the chart.

Width of the Divider

It is important that the divider is wide enough to fit the chart, but not so wide that it blocks the view of the chart.

Thickness of the Divider

Divider must be thick enough to be sturdy, but not so thick that it is difficult to handle.

Number of Tabs Needed

The number of chart divider tabs you need will vary depending on the size and complexity of your practice, the number of patients you see, and the way you prefer to organize your charts.

However, there are a few general guidelines you can follow to help you choose the right number of dividers for your needs. If you are a solo practitioner or have a small practice, you may only need a few dividers to keep your charts organized.

On the other hand, if you have a large practice with many patients, you may need several sets of medical chart dividers to keep everything organized. 

Customization Options

The most common type of customization for a medical chart divider is to have the dividers printed with the names of the different types of medical files you will be using them for.

This ensures that you can easily and quickly find the file you are looking for without having to search through a pile of unorganized files.

Other customization options include having dividers printed with your office’s name and logo or with instructional information such as “please do not bend” or “ confidential.”

Feel free to explore these medical record binders to customize and organize your important medical information.

Quality of the Material

You should consider the material the divider is made from. Paperboard is the most common material, but there are also plastic and metal options. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Paperboard is the most economical option, but it is not as durable as the other materials. Plastic is more durable than paperboard, but it is more expensive. Metal is the most durable option but also the most expensive. 

Laminated or Unlaminated

Consider whether you need laminated or unlaminated chart dividers. Laminated chart dividers are more durable and resistant to damage, but they can be more expensive. Unlaminated chart dividers are less expensive but more susceptible to damage. 

Consider Compatibility

Compatibility is one of them. Make sure the medical chart dividers you choose will work with your current system. You’ll also want to think about the number of sections you need and what you’ll be using. 

If you have a color-coded system, you’ll want to make sure the dividers you choose to match up with your colors. If you have a more traditional system, you can choose from a variety of colors and materials.

If you are using a paper-based system, then you will need to choose dividers that are made of sturdy paper that can withstand heavy use.

If you are using an electronic system, then you will need to choose dividers that can be easily scanned and read by the system. The frequency with which you need to access the information will also dictate the type of dividers you need.

If you need to access the information frequently, then you will need dividers that are easy to open and close. But if you only need to access the information occasionally, then you can choose dividers that are more durable and secure.

Get Expert Input

Be sure to ask for help from a professional if needed. It’s important to get expert input to help you choose the right medical chart dividers for your needs and ensure you’re making a purchase that’s right for you. 

Pick the Right Medical Chart Dividers for Your Needs

If you are looking for medical chart dividers, it is important to consider these factors. By taking the time to evaluate your needs, you will be able to purchase the best possible chart dividers for your office. 

Keep these ideas in mind when making your decision and you’ll be sure to pick the right medical chart dividers for you.

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