Which of the following is an acceptable practice for a medical assistant when handling patient information?

Maintaining confidentiality is essential in healthcare settings to protect patient privacy and adhere to legal regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This practice ensures that sensitive patient information is shared only with authorized individuals and handled appropriately. By maintaining confidentiality, a medical assistant upholds ethical standards of care and fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers.

In contrast, sharing information casually or discussing cases in public places could lead to breaches of confidentiality, exposing patients’ private health information to unauthorized individuals. Similarly, storing files without security measures puts patient data at risk of being accessed by unintended parties, which is contrary to the principles of safeguarding personal health information. Therefore, maintaining confidentiality is not only a best practice but also a legal requirement for medical assistants in their role.