What must each patient's medical record be safeguarded against?

Each patient's medical record must be safeguarded against unauthorized alterations. Ensuring that medical records are protected from unauthorized changes is critical to maintaining the integrity of patient information and the trust in the healthcare system. Unauthorized alterations can lead to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, or legal issues, as medical records are often used as crucial evidence in healthcare decision-making.

Additionally, safeguarding records from unauthorized alterations supports compliance with legal and ethical standards set by professional regulatory bodies. This focus on data integrity is essential for both patient safety and the broader context of quality care within the health system.

The other options, while they involve protecting patient information, do not encompass the core need to maintain accurate and unaltered medical records that are essential for effective patient care and legal compliance.