What is protected under the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records?

The confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records is specifically designed to protect identifiable information related to a patient's substance use treatment. This protection is established under regulations such as 42 CFR Part 2, which sets stringent standards for privacy regarding the treatment of substance use disorders.

The rationale behind this protection is to encourage individuals to seek treatment without fear of stigma, discrimination, or legal repercussions that may arise from their substance use history. Thus, identifiable information, which includes details that could directly or indirectly reveal a patient's substance use issues, is kept confidential to safeguard the patients' rights and promote their willingness to seek help.

The other choices are not protected under the same stringent standards. General health information about the patient does not receive the same level of confidentiality and can often be shared with broader permission in healthcare settings. Additionally, information shared among healthcare providers may be subject to privacy regulations, but it is not limited to substance use disorder details specifically. Lastly, not all medical records are protected in the same manner, as this level of confidentiality specifically relates to substance use treatment records and does not extend to all medical conditions or treatments.