Which of the following is one of the 6 C's of Charting?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Consistency
• C. Caution
• D. Court order

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality focuses on protecting patient privacy in charting. It means keeping all patient information within the chart accessible only to people who need it to provide care, and ensuring the data is shielded from unauthorized access. In practice, this involves securing both paper records and electronic health records, using strong access controls, and avoiding discussing patient details in public areas or in ways that could expose sensitive information. This principle is essential for trust and is mandated by privacy laws and regulations, so patients know their information won’t be shared improperly.

Other Cs relate to chart quality, like keeping records clear and consistent, but they don’t address privacy. A court order can compel disclosure, which is a legal exception rather than a routine charting principle.