Determining how long to keep patient records in the office after they have become inactive or closed is called

The process of determining how long to keep patient records after they are no longer active or have been closed is referred to as a retention schedule. A retention schedule outlines the specific time frames for which various types of medical records should be maintained before they can be safely disposed of. This is essential for both legal compliance and ensuring that patient information is managed properly according to regulatory standards.

Record management encompasses broader practices related to the organization and upkeep of records, but it does not specifically focus on the duration for which records should be retained. Numeric and alphabetic filing systems pertain to the methods used to organize and retrieve records rather than the policies governing their retention. Therefore, the retention schedule is the correct term that specifically addresses the duration for which patient records should be maintained in the office.