Which index is primarily used by the HIM department to connect a patient's name and number for access and retention of clinical records?

The Master Patient Index (MPI) is the correct answer because it serves as a comprehensive database that links all patient records to a unique identifier, typically a patient number. This index is crucial for the Health Information Management (HIM) department, as it ensures that all clinical records for a patient can be accurately matched and retrieved, enhancing the efficiency of record access and retention practices. The MPI helps to maintain the integrity of patient information, reducing the risk of duplication and ensuring accurate patient identification across various healthcare systems.

Other indices, such as the Physician index, Disease index, and Operation index serve different purposes. The Physician index is used to organize and retrieve records according to treating physicians, the Disease index categorizes records based on diagnosis codes, and the Operation index organizes records by surgical procedures. While these are important for specific functions within healthcare documentation and analysis, the Master Patient Index is specifically designed to connect and manage patient identities and related clinical records, which is why it is the primary tool used by the HIM department for this purpose.