What does patient confidentiality protect?

Patient confidentiality is designed to safeguard all patient information from unauthorized access. This encompasses not just medical records and treatment details, but also personal identifiers, billing information, and any other data that could be used to identify a patient. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the healthcare system, ensuring that individuals can seek care without fear that their personal health information will be disclosed without their consent.

Protecting all patient information fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, encouraging patients to share complete and accurate health information, which is essential for providing quality care. This protection is mandated by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which sets strict guidelines on how patient information must be handled and shared.

The other choices do not encompass the full breadth of confidentiality's purpose. For example, collecting just contact details would not adequately support a patient’s right to privacy. Furthermore, while confidentiality can indirectly limit lawsuits against medical staff by ensuring they handle information correctly, the primary goal is protecting patient information. Lastly, patient confidentiality does not address healthcare costs; it solely focuses on maintaining the privacy and security of patient data.