Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered confidential information?

1. Patient's name

2. Time of dispatch

3. Location of the incident

4. Patient's medical history

The correct answer is: Patient's medical history

Patient's medical history is considered confidential information because it contains sensitive details about an individual's health and medical treatment that must be protected under privacy laws such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This law establishes strict guidelines regarding the handling and sharing of medical information to ensure patient confidentiality. In contrast, a patient's name, the time of dispatch, and the location of the incident may not carry the same level of confidentiality. While these are important pieces of information, they do not inherently contain sensitive medical details that require the same degree of protection. Thus, patient medical history stands out as the most confidential information in this context.