How should medical assistants handle a patient's medical records?

Safeguarding patient medical records is a critical responsibility of medical assistants to ensure confidentiality and security. This involves implementing proper measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches. Upholding patient privacy is mandated by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which establishes strict guidelines for the handling and sharing of medical records. By ensuring that records are kept secure, medical assistants not only comply with legal regulations but also foster trust between patients and healthcare providers, as patients are more likely to feel comfortable sharing sensitive information when they know it is handled with care. This practice would involve maintaining physical security measures, like locked filing cabinets, as well as digital security protocols, including password protections and encrypted files.