A coding compliance manager is reviewing user activity. What is this tool called?

The correct answer is the audit trail, which is a critical tool used to track and record user activity within a system, especially in the context of health information management and coding compliance. An audit trail provides a chronological record of actions taken by users, detailing who accessed what data, when they did so, and what changes were made. This is essential for ensuring accountability, compliance with regulations, and the integrity of health data. It allows managers to conduct reviews and assess whether user activities align with established protocols and standards.

In contrast, while facility access control deals with who is permitted to enter a physical location, it does not specifically track user activities within a system. Forensics pertains to the application of science and technology in the investigation and analysis of data, often after an incident has occurred, rather than ongoing monitoring of user activity. A security management plan outlines the overall approach to safeguarding information and managing risk, but it is not a specific tool for monitoring individual user actions. Thus, an audit trail serves as a dedicated mechanism for identifying and analyzing user interactions with the system, making it the most fitting answer in this scenario.