Which safeguard ensures that protected health information cannot be improperly altered or destroyed?

The correct answer is integrity, which refers to the safeguard that focuses on maintaining and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of protected health information (PHI) over its entire lifecycle. When integrity is prioritized, it establishes measures that protect data from being improperly altered or destroyed, ensuring that any changes to the information are authorized and that the information remains complete and uncorrupted.

In the context of health information, maintaining integrity means implementing policies and technical controls that prevent unauthorized access and manipulation of PHI. This is critical in healthcare settings, where the reliability of patient data affects decision-making and the overall quality of care.

Confidentiality pertains to keeping patient information private and restricting access to only those who have a right or need to know it, but it does not directly address issues of accuracy or prevention from destruction.

Availability focuses on ensuring that PHI is accessible when needed, particularly in emergencies or during treatment, but it does not address the authenticity or correctness of the information itself.

Security encompasses a broader range of protections, including physical, administrative, and technical measures to safeguard data, but its scope goes beyond just integrity to also include confidentiality and availability. Therefore, while security is essential in the overall framework, it is integrity that specifically addresses the prevention of improper alterations or destruction