Define patient confidentiality.

Patient confidentiality is defined as the ethical and legal duty to protect a patient’s private health information. This principle ensures that any information disclosed by the patient to healthcare professionals during the course of treatment remains private and is only shared with authorized individuals or entities, under specific circumstances. By maintaining confidentiality, trust is established between patients and healthcare providers, which is essential for effective treatment and care.

This concept is integral to healthcare practices and is governed by laws and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which specifically outlines how healthcare providers must handle patient information. Confidentiality extends beyond verbal communication to include written, electronic, and any form of patient data. By prioritizing patient confidentiality, healthcare professionals affirm their commitment to ethical standards and the patients' rights to privacy.