visible file

A general term for a filing system that uses overlapping cards fixed in shallow drawers or trays, where one line of information (e.g., patient name, date, etc.) is visible on the edge of each card for quick reference and indexing.

The term "Kardex" is a generic trademark that became synonymous with the visible file (filing system) itself, much like "Kleenex" is for facial tissues.

visible file by A. Patmos November 24, 2025