Final answer:
HIPAA sets the standards for confidentiality practices in medical record-keeping and access. It requires businesses to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records, respect privacy and dignity, protect subjects from personal harm, preserve confidentiality, and seek informed consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) sets the standards for the protection of patient information. It requires businesses that use health information to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records. Confidentiality practices and safeguards related to medical record-keeping and access include:
- Respect subjects' rights to privacy and dignity: Healthcare providers must ensure that patient information is kept confidential and not disclosed without appropriate consent.
- Protect subject from personal harm: Medical records should not be used in a way that could harm the individual, such as discrimination based on genetic information.
- Preserve confidentiality: Healthcare providers must maintain the confidentiality of patient records and only release information with proper authorization.
- Seek informed consent: Before disclosing patient information, healthcare providers must obtain the patient's informed consent.