What must be maintained regarding all protected health information (PHI)?

The requirement to maintain the confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) is a fundamental principle of both HIPAA and the HITECH Act. These regulations emphasize the importance of safeguarding sensitive health information to protect an individual's privacy and ensure that their personal health data is not disclosed without appropriate authorization.

Confidentiality means that PHI must be handled in a manner that prevents unauthorized access or disclosures. This includes implementing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect patient data. Only authorized individuals—those with a legitimate need to know—should have access to this information, such as healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care or administrative staff working with the relevant information under strict confidentiality agreements.

This focus on confidentiality is central to building trust in the healthcare system, allowing patients to share information freely, knowing it will be protected. The other options do not align with the legal and ethical obligations regarding PHI. For instance, making records open to public access would violate the privacy rights of patients, sharing PHI with all staff could lead to unnecessary exposure of sensitive information, and disclosing PHI without consent contravenes HIPAA regulations.