Which rule establishes standards for protecting medical records?

The Privacy Rule is crucial as it establishes the standards for protecting individuals' medical records and personal health information. Implemented under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), this rule grants patients rights regarding their health information, including the right to access their medical records, request corrections, and restrict certain disclosures of their information.

The Privacy Rule not only defines the nature of protected health information (PHI) but also sets forth the guidelines on how such information should be collected, stored, and disclosed to ensure confidentiality and privacy. This is foundational in healthcare settings, as it provides a framework for safeguarding patient data against unauthorized access or disclosure, thereby maintaining trust in the healthcare system.

Other options, while related to health information security, focus on different aspects. For instance, the Security Rule specifically addresses the technical and physical safeguards that must be implemented to protect electronic PHI, whereas the Breach Notification Rule outlines the requirements for notifying individuals and authorities in the event of a data breach. The Maintenance Rule, on the other hand, is not a recognized regulation within the context of health records management and protection.