Final answer:
Patient confidentiality must be maintained and patient records should not be disclosed without written permission. This practice is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare, tightly regulated by laws like HIPAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain patient confidentiality, it's imperative not to discuss a patient's records, forward them to another office, fax them, or show them to anyone except the medical practitioner unless you have obtained the patient's written permission. Patient confidentiality is a critical component of the healthcare field, ensuring that personal health information is protected and only shared with individuals who have a legitimate need to know for the purpose of patient care and treatment. It's a fundamental part of medical ethics and is legally enforced through various laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.