Which act governs patient confidentiality?

The correct answer is based on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which specifically governs patient confidentiality and the protection of patient health information. HIPAA establishes standards for the handling of sensitive patient data, ensuring that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities maintain the privacy and security of medical records. Under HIPAA, patients have rights over their health information, including the right to access their records and understand how their information is used and shared.

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, pertains to the privacy of student education records rather than health information. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) focuses on preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities, while OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is concerned with workplace safety and health regulations. None of these acts address patient confidentiality in the way that HIPAA does.