Which of the following practices is ethical in handling patient information?

Keeping patient information confidential and secure is a foundational principle in medical ethics and patient care. This practice respects the privacy of patients and adheres to legal regulations, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States, which mandates the protection of patient data.

Maintaining confidentiality fosters trust in the patient-provider relationship, as patients are more likely to disclose sensitive information when they believe it will be protected. Ensuring that patient data is handled securely also involves implementing appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.

On the other hand, sharing patient information without consent violates ethical standards and legal requirements, using it for marketing purposes can exploit patient relationships, and discussing it in public areas compromises confidentiality and privacy, which can damage the trust patients place in their healthcare providers. Therefore, the commitment to keeping patient information confidential and secure is essential for ethical practice in healthcare.