Which action is vital for maintaining patient confidentiality?

Maintaining patient confidentiality is a fundamental responsibility of healthcare professionals, and the proper action to ensure this is keeping patient information secure and limited to authorized personnel. This practice involves safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access and ensuring that it is only disclosed to individuals who have a legitimate need to know in order to provide care or facilitate treatment.

By limiting access to patient data, healthcare workers protect the privacy of patients and uphold ethical standards, as well as comply with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. This action demonstrates respect for the patient’s right to confidentiality and fosters trust in the healthcare system.

The other actions mentioned compromise patient confidentiality. Sharing information with relatives without consent violates patient privacy, as does accessing records for personal use, which constitutes a misuse of the information. Discussing patient conditions openly with coworkers can also lead to accidental breaches of confidentiality if such discussions occur in public or inappropriate settings.