Which action is essential for a custodian of health records?

The essential action for a custodian of health records is maintaining the integrity of patient records. This responsibility involves ensuring that all health information is accurate, complete, and accessible to authorized individuals while protecting it from unauthorized access or alterations. Integrity of patient records is crucial because it upholds the trust between patients and healthcare providers, supports high-quality care, and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The custodian must implement proper safeguards and procedures to protect against data breaches or other risks that could compromise the confidentiality and reliability of the records.

Maintaining integrity also encompasses regular audits, documentation of changes made to the records, and ensuring that records are updated in a timely manner. This role is foundational in enabling effective communication among healthcare providers and ensuring continuity of care for patients. In contrast, drafting protocols, billing, and providing treatment are important tasks in the overall healthcare system, but they do not directly relate to the specific responsibilities of a custodian focused on health record integrity.