What must all client information and records be maintained as?

The requirement for client information and records to be maintained as confidential stems from the principles of privacy and the ethical obligation to protect sensitive information. This means that any data pertaining to a client’s personal history, health status, or treatment must not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals or entities without proper consent. Confidentiality is fundamental to building trust between clients and service providers, ensuring that clients feel safe to share their information openly.

Maintaining confidentiality also complies with various regulations and laws governing data protection, such as HIPAA in the healthcare sector, which outlines the need to safeguard personal health information. Ensuring that records are confidential creates a secure environment in which clients can feel confident their information is safe and used only for intended purposes.

While there are scenarios where client information may need to be shared, such as with consent or in cases of risk to safety, the default and guiding principle is confidentiality, thus solidifying the correct answer as the requirement for maintaining all client information and records.