What is the principle of keeping patient information private called?

The principle of keeping patient information private is known as confidentiality. This concept is fundamental in healthcare, as it ensures that personal health information is protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. Maintaining confidentiality fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, allowing patients to share sensitive information without fear that it will be disclosed.

While ethics refers to the moral principles that govern behavior in healthcare, confidentiality specifically addresses the need to keep patient information secure. Privacy laws establish regulations surrounding the handling of personal information but are broader in scope than the principle of confidentiality itself. Informed consent is a process that ensures patients are aware of and agree to the procedures or treatments they will undergo, but it does not primarily relate to the privacy of their information.

In summary, confidentiality is the key principle that focuses specifically on the protection of patient information, making it the correct answer in this context.