A user record is stored in which master file?

• A. Provider (SER) master file
• B. Patient (PAT) master file
• C. Encounter (ENC) master file
• D. User (EMP) master file

Answer: (D)

In this data model, master files hold different kinds of stable entity data, and a user account is a type of employee record used for login, roles, and access control. The record for a system user belongs in the User (EMP) master file because it stores user-specific information such as credentials, permissions, and status. The other master files are dedicated to other entities: patients (PAT) for patient demographics, providers (SER) for service providers, and encounters (ENC) for encounter events. So a user account isn’t stored with patients or encounters; it sits in the EMP master file to manage who can access the system and what they can do.