In an open-architecture healthcare environment, common reference files used by applications are known as what?

In an open-architecture healthcare environment, applications often rely on shared datasets to ensure consistency and interoperability across systems. Common reference files serve this purpose by providing standardized data that multiple applications can utilize. Master files typically refer to these foundational datasets that contain essential information about patients, providers, or entities involved in healthcare processes. They serve as a reference point to maintain data integrity and facilitate communication among diverse systems.

In contrast, the other options represent files that may serve functional or operational roles within a healthcare setting but do not encompass the broad, foundational aspect of reference files. Medical records and information management files primarily focus on individual patient data and administrative needs. Scheduling files pertain specifically to appointment management, while order entry files are used for managing requests for tests or treatments. Though all these file types play critical roles in healthcare operations, they do not function as the common reference points that master files do in an integrated system.